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S252 DTC

1999 BMW 523

Green Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Mar 2026
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

235,125 mi
Last recorded235,125 miles
Recorded on20 May 2026
Typical for 1999 BMW 523117,158 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS252 DTC
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1999
ColourGreen
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

20 pass 11 fail
Fail 20 May 2026 235,125 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn offside and nearside (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Rear Parking brake mechanism/associated mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded back plate. (1.1.21 (e) (i))

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Sub-frame attachment bracket/mounting likely to fail (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear at joint.X2 (1.1.11 (c))

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sills offside and nearside (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Mar 2025 229,565 miles

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material offside and nearside (1.1.11 (c))

Front Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened offside and nearside inner faces (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside and nearside inner sills. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 6 Feb 2025 229,042 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn front arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn front arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material offside and nearside. (1.1.11 (c))

Front Inner Brake disc worn, but not excessively faces offside and nearside (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside and nearside inner sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Nov 2023 223,378 miles

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

both rear rigid brake pipes replaced and jointed to original.

corrosion to both front outer jacking points/outer sill

covers fitted to underside and outer sills

Fail 30 Nov 2023 223,378 miles

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

both rear rigid brake pipes replaced and jointed to original.

corrosion to both front outer jacking points/outer sill

covers fitted to underside and outer sills

Pass 10 Nov 2022 215,964 miles

Manufacturers engine and body/sill covers fitted restricting inspection of components

suspension warning lamp on. suspension all working.

Fail 31 Oct 2022 215,927 miles

Nearside Front Inner Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Suspension system inoperative collapsed and at lower setting (5.3.5 (a)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 26 Aug 2021 195,985 miles

Manufacturers engine and body/sill covers fitted restricting inspection of components

Fail 25 Aug 2021 195,985 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Manufacturers engine and body/sill covers fitted restricting inspection of components

Pass 24 Nov 2020 195,809 miles

Manufacturers engine and body/sill covers fitted restricting inspection of components

Pass 11 Dec 2019 194,565 miles

Manufacturers engine and body/sill covers fitted restricting inspection of components

Fail 25 Nov 2019 194,335 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inner sill at jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill at jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 7 Dec 2018 189,951 miles

Manufactures engine and body/sill covers fitted restricting inspection of components

Pass 12 Dec 2017 185,083 miles

Manufactures engine and body/sill covers fitted restricting inspection of components

Pass 22 Dec 2016 179,861 miles
Pass 30 Nov 2015 174,179 miles
Fail 16 Nov 2015 173,990 miles

Nearside Front Brake back plate(s) securing device loose (3.5.1j)

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Brake back plate(s) securing device loose (3.5.1j)

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Axle beam has slight vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (2.5.A.1a)

Offside Rear Axle beam has slight vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (2.5.A.1a)

Pass 5 Dec 2014 168,422 miles
Fail 1 Dec 2014 168,415 miles

Nearside Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 9 Dec 2013 162,804 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2012 157,273 miles

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

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

Fail 19 Nov 2012 157,248 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Pass 7 Dec 2011 151,995 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 8 Dec 2010 146,760 miles
Pass 8 Dec 2009 141,632 miles
Fail 8 Dec 2009 141,632 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak

Pass 10 Dec 2008 135,040 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 6 Dec 2007 128,089 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) deteriorated, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Fail 6 Dec 2007 128,089 miles

Offside Front Tie bar/rod severely distorted (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) deteriorated, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Pass 13 Nov 2006 120,086 miles

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 13 Dec 2005 111,119 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Tie bar/rod worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Upper Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

S252 DTC is a 1999 BMW 523 in Green with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

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 S252 DTC, 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 S252 DTC?

You can check the full history of S252 DTC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S252 DTC registered?

S252 DTC is a 1999 BMW 523, first registered on 4 January 1999.

Is S252 DTC safe to buy?

The MOT history for S252 DTC shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S252 DTC 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 S252 DTC. 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.