CarVerify

Free Car Check

S23 PVC

1999 BMW 523

Blue Petrol 2494cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires19 Dec 2025
Tests23 (18 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate78.3%

Mileage

171,729 mi
Last recorded171,729 miles
Recorded on10 Dec 2024
Typical for 1999 BMW 523117,158 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationS23 PVC
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1999
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,494cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

18 pass 5 fail
Pass 10 Dec 2024 171,729 miles

Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play both front & both rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened front & rear (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Brake pad(s) wearing thin both side front & both side rear (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both side front (4.1.4 (b))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Shock absorbers has light misting of oil both side front & both side rear (5.3.2 (b))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both side front & both side rear upper & lower (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Suspension rod ball joint has slight play both side front & both side rear upper & lower (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both front & both rear (5.2.3 (e))

both side inner sills, both side brake pipe, subframe, suspension components corroded

Fail 6 Dec 2024 171,729 miles

Position lamp with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play both front & both rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened front & rear (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Brake pad(s) wearing thin both side front & both side rear (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both side front (4.1.4 (b))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Shock absorbers has light misting of oil both side front & both side rear (5.3.2 (b))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both side front & both side rear upper & lower (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Suspension rod ball joint has slight play both side front & both side rear upper & lower (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both front & both rear (5.2.3 (e))

both side inner sills, both side brake pipe, subframe, suspension components corroded

Fail 4 Dec 2024 171,727 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn rear most ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn foremost arm outer ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 20 Dec 2023 150,526 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement outer rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement outer rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 15 Dec 2023 150,517 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn rear of pair (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn outer (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement outer rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement outer rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Nov 2022 130,807 miles
Pass 13 Dec 2021 125,052 miles
Pass 16 Dec 2020 118,459 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Pass 12 Dec 2019 113,921 miles
Fail 12 Dec 2019 113,921 miles

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an induction leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

Pass 10 Dec 2018 107,041 miles
Pass 13 Dec 2017 100,875 miles
Pass 30 Nov 2016 94,857 miles
Pass 30 Nov 2015 89,032 miles
Pass 16 Dec 2014 88,038 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2013 88,382 miles
Fail 25 May 2012 88,382 miles

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 25 May 2012 88,382 miles
Pass 6 Dec 2010 88,322 miles
Pass 3 Dec 2009 88,328 miles
Pass 3 Jun 2008 88,047 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

n/s parking brake on minimum reading. we advise attention to parking brake a.s.a.p, certainly before next years M.O.T

Pass 1 Jun 2007 88,080 miles
Pass 25 May 2006 84,486 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 523?

Based on 254,660 MOT tests across 20,979 vehicles.

69.9%
Pass Rate
5,849
Miles/Year
30
Year Lifespan
20,979
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 17,201
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 15,085
parking brake recording little or no effort 9,427
Brake pipe excessively corroded 9,143
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 7,285
Full BMW 523 reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

S23 PVC is a 1999 BMW 523 in Blue with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 78.3%.

Across all 1999 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.7% with a typical mileage of 117,158 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW 523 fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 17,201 recorded failures. If you're considering buying S23 PVC, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 523 typically stays on UK roads for around 30 years. At 27 years old, this BMW 523 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of S23 PVC?

You can check the full history of S23 PVC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S23 PVC registered?

S23 PVC is a 1999 BMW 523, first registered on 31 December 1999.

Is S23 PVC safe to buy?

The MOT history for S23 PVC shows 23 tests with a 78.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S23 PVC have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on S23 PVC. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.