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S397 NLN

1998 BMW 523

Blue Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Dec 2022
Tests24 (13 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate54.2%

Mileage

100,031 mi
Last recorded100,031 miles
Recorded on30 Nov 2021
Typical for 1998 BMW 523117,395 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS397 NLN
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1998
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

13 pass 11 fail
Pass 30 Nov 2021 100,031 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Covers fitted now allowing full inspection of some componants.

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 1.8mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Fail 29 Nov 2021 100,022 miles

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

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

Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated Both sides (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Covers fitted now allowing full inspection of some componants.

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 1.8mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Pass 17 Nov 2020 85,523 miles
Pass 3 Dec 2019 72,426 miles
Fail 30 Nov 2019 72,425 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 16 Mar 2018 72,007 miles

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

Fail 1 Mar 2018 72,006 miles

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

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

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced offside + nearside (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

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

Oil leak engine ()

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

all 4 Tyres showing signs of wear (perished)

Fail 24 Oct 2017 71,858 miles

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

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside 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)

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

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both side (1.7.5a)

Front Oil leak from engine major oil leak ()

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

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

Rear registration plate faded but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 14 Oct 2016 71,264 miles

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit both side worn on outer edges (4.1.E.1)

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated both side (3.6.B.4d)

Rear registration plate faded but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

oil leak from engine

Fail 13 Oct 2016 71,264 miles

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

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

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

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

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

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit both side worn on outer edges (4.1.E.1)

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated both side (3.6.B.4d)

Rear registration plate faded but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

brake pads wear sensor light on

oil leak from engine

Pass 9 Jun 2015 70,555 miles

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

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Fail 8 Jun 2015 70,555 miles

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

Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault (3.4.1c)

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

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Pass 28 May 2014 69,825 miles

Front Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

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

Fail 27 May 2014 69,825 miles

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

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Front Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

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

Pass 8 May 2013 66,549 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Nail in offside rear tyre

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 20 Dec 2011 62,301 miles
Fail 20 Dec 2011 62,301 miles

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

Pass 16 Nov 2010 60,209 miles
Pass 27 Oct 2009 57,700 miles
Fail 27 Oct 2009 57,700 miles

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

condensation in nearside headlamp

offside rear electric window faulty

Pass 1 Sep 2008 54,983 miles
Fail 29 Aug 2008 54,983 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Rear tyres close to wear limit in centre

Pass 21 Jul 2006 46,570 miles
Fail 21 Jul 2006 46,570 miles

Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

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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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.

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S397 NLN is a 1998 BMW 523 in Blue with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.2%.

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 S397 NLN, 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 S397 NLN?

You can check the full history of S397 NLN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S397 NLN registered?

S397 NLN is a 1998 BMW 523, first registered on 13 October 1998.

Is S397 NLN safe to buy?

The MOT history for S397 NLN shows 24 tests with a 54.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S397 NLN 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 S397 NLN. 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.