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S308 LTR

1998 BMW 523

Green Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires1 Dec 2025
Tests34 (18 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate52.9%

Mileage

202,280 mi
Last recorded202,280 miles
Recorded on2 Dec 2024
Typical for 1998 BMW 523117,395 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS308 LTR
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1998
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

18 pass 16 fail
Pass 2 Dec 2024 202,280 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fluid leak, but not excessive Leaking from rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Side sill corroded

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

Fail 25 Nov 2024 202,187 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fluid leak, but not excessive Leaking from rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Side sill corroded

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

Pass 14 Nov 2023 200,965 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fluid leak, but not excessive Rear differential leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Crack in swept area (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 14 Nov 2023 200,965 miles

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fluid leak, but not excessive Rear differential leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Crack in swept area (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Aug 2022 199,903 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (ADVISE REPLACEMENT) (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Outer Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (ADVISE REPLACEMENT) (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Fail 5 Aug 2022 199,903 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (ADVISE REPLACEMENT) (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Outer Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (ADVISE REPLACEMENT) (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Fail 8 Jul 2022 199,838 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Front Arm (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Rear Arm (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Rear Arm (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material ADVISE REPLACEMENT (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Outer Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material ADVISE REPLACEMENT (1.1.11 (c))

Oil leak, but not excessive From Rear Diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 29 Jul 2021 197,360 miles

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

Front bumper damage

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material ADVISE REPLACEMENT (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre Inner sidewall ()

Nearside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated top control arm (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Wing damage

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material ADVISE REPLACEMENT (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated top control arm (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play Top control arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 21 Jun 2019 194,713 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Fail 31 May 2019 194,603 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded Across rear. (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Sill. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Sill. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Side light not working.

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 14 Mar 2018 191,965 miles
Pass 21 Feb 2017 187,490 miles
Fail 21 Feb 2017 187,490 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 25 Jan 2016 181,189 miles

Front stone chips windscreen

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 7 Jan 2016 180,848 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bearing (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

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

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

Pass 17 Dec 2014 168,693 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 17 Dec 2014 168,692 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 15 Dec 2014 168,645 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 3 Jan 2014 160,368 miles
Fail 2 Jan 2014 160,368 miles

An item not tested (Manual)

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Inner Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

BRAKE PAD WARNING LIGHT ON

CENTRE REAR STOP LAMP NOT WORKING

Pass 26 Nov 2012 147,573 miles

FRONT NO PLATE DAMAGED

OFFSIDE HEADLAMP DETERIORATED / LIGHT OUTPUT POOR

Pass 18 Nov 2011 133,269 miles
Fail 16 Nov 2011 133,217 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 11 Nov 2011 133,134 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 28 Oct 2010 125,348 miles

Nearside Outer Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Outer Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

ns and os headlamps poor condition/condensation in lens

Pass 10 Nov 2009 119,264 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

Nearside rear brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Pass 17 Nov 2008 112,405 miles

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

Fail 17 Nov 2008 112,405 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

Pass 29 Oct 2007 108,226 miles

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Fail 29 Oct 2007 108,226 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 2 Nov 2006 102,948 miles

both rear tyres worn close to legal limits.

front brake pads 60 percent worn.

Fail 2 Nov 2006 102,948 miles

Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

both rear tyres worn close to legal limits.

front brake pads 60 percent worn.

Pass 10 Nov 2005 92,012 miles
Fail 10 Nov 2005 92,012 miles

Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

S308 LTR is a 1998 BMW 523 in Green with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52.9%.

Across all 1998 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.9% with a typical mileage of 117,395 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 S308 LTR, 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 28 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 S308 LTR?

You can check the full history of S308 LTR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S308 LTR registered?

S308 LTR is a 1998 BMW 523, first registered on 23 December 1998.

Is S308 LTR safe to buy?

The MOT history for S308 LTR shows 34 tests with a 52.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S308 LTR 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 S308 LTR. 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.