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S481 VKM

1998 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires12 Nov 2020
Tests28 (15 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate53.6%

Mileage

239,247 mi
Last recorded239,247 miles
Recorded on3 Nov 2020
Typical for 1998 BMW 523117,395 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS481 VKM
MakeBMW
Model523
Year1998
ColourSilver
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

15 pass 13 fail
Fail 3 Nov 2020 239,247 miles

Fuel tank insecure both tank support straps corroded and holed (6.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill at c post area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear floor holed around1 drain plug area

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

both front tyres worn on edges

plastic covers fitted to outer sill preventing full inspection

Pass 13 Nov 2019 230,999 miles

Central exhaust heat shield insecure

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear floor holed around 1 drain plug area

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

Offside Outer sill corroded sills have plastic covers preventing full inspection

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play drop link (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

fuel tank straps heavily corroded

Fail 12 Nov 2019 230,999 miles

Rear Suspension system inoperative (5.3.5 (a)) DANGEROUS

Central exhaust heat shield insecure

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear floor holed around 1 drain plug area

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

Offside Outer sill corroded sills have plastic covers preventing full inspection

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play drop link (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

fuel tank straps heavily corroded

Fail 25 Oct 2019 230,432 miles

Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged split (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn upper rear arm outer joint worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect no beam pattern visible (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp lens seriously defective deteriorated (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp reflector seriously defective insecure (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Central exhaust heat shield insecure

Fuel tank straps heavily corroded

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear floor holed around 1 drain plug area

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play drop-link (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge near limit on inner edge and uneven wear (5.2.3 (e))

Offside outer sill corroded - sills have plastic covers preventing full inspection

Oil leak, but not excessive Quite a lot of oil around rocker cover area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 2 Nov 2018 219,244 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play drop link (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

both fuel tank support straps showing corrosion

Fail 26 Oct 2018 218,921 miles

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn outer rear of rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play drop link (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

both fuel tank support straps showing corrosion

Pass 27 Oct 2017 206,793 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

front brake discs worn

Fail 25 Oct 2017 206,743 miles

Brake hose excessively deteriorated both rear (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

front brake discs worn

offside rear level sensor link rod detached

suspension warning light on

Pass 4 Nov 2016 194,017 miles

Both outer sills covered

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

Nearside Front chassis leg corroded

Nearside Rear tyre very near legal limit

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

Offside Rear tyre on legal limit ( 225/60 R15 )

Fail 31 Oct 2016 193,960 miles

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

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

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

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded outer sill at rear (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)

Both outer sills covered

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

Nearside Front chassis leg corroded

Nearside Rear tyre very near legal limit

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

Offside Rear tyre on legal limit ( 225/60 R15 )

Rear exhaust heat shield insecure

Pass 30 Oct 2015 180,946 miles

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

o/s/r jacking point collapsed but outwith prescribed areas

Fail 29 Oct 2015 180,899 miles

Front Brake pipe excessively corroded both main pipes along floor under plastic cover (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement D bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. adjusters broken (1.8)

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

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

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

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

o/s/r jacking point collapsed but outwith prescribed areas

Pass 31 Oct 2014 168,440 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

fuel tank support srtaps slightly corroded

n/s/r no plate cover missing

Fail 29 Oct 2014 168,392 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

fuel tank support srtaps slightly corroded

n/s/r no plate cover missing

Pass 28 Oct 2013 157,906 miles

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

n/s registration plate lamp lens missing

o/s rear sill panel corroded outwith prescribed area

Fail 23 Oct 2013 157,865 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

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

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

exhaust heat shields loose

n/s handbrake cable in very poor condition

n/s registration plate lamp lens missing

o/s rear sill panel corroded outwith prescribed area

o/s/f brake disc showing corrosion on inner face

Pass 25 Oct 2012 145,059 miles

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

both outer handbrake cables damaged

rear sub-frame bushes worn

Pass 26 Oct 2011 133,519 miles

Noise from handbrake shoe area when rear wheels rotated

n/s headlamp iam just meets test requirements

o/s handbrake cable in poor condition

Fail 26 Oct 2011 133,518 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Noise from handbrake shoe area when rear wheels rotated

n/s headlamp iam just meets test requirements

o/s handbrake cable in poor condition

Pass 2 Nov 2010 123,735 miles

Nearside rear tyre worn on inner edge

Nearside tail light dull

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

Offside rear tyre on legal limit ( 225/60 R15 )

Fail 28 Oct 2010 123,712 miles

Nearside Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

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

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

Handbrake nearing end of working travel

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

Nearside rear tyre worn on inner edge

Nearside tail light dull

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

Offside rear tyre on legal limit ( 225/60 R15 )

Pass 29 Oct 2009 114,762 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Fail 26 Oct 2009 114,762 miles

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Pass 24 Oct 2008 103,194 miles
Fail 21 Oct 2008 103,129 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

225/60 VR15 - Offside front tyre very near limit on outer edge

Pass 2 Oct 2007 95,434 miles

o/s/f tyre wearing on inner edge

slight play in o/s/r anti roll bar link

some condensation in n/s headlamp

Pass 12 Oct 2006 89,751 miles
Pass 27 Oct 2005 81,029 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

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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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S481 VKM is a 1998 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.6%.

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 S481 VKM, 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 S481 VKM?

You can check the full history of S481 VKM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S481 VKM registered?

S481 VKM is a 1998 BMW 523, first registered on 11 November 1998.

Is S481 VKM safe to buy?

The MOT history for S481 VKM shows 28 tests with a 53.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S481 VKM 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 S481 VKM. 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.