MOT Status
ExpiredMileage
239,247 miSignificantly above average — investigate
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Vehicle Details
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50+ data pointsMOT History
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
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
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
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))
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
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
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
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
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 )
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
Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)
o/s/r jacking point collapsed but outwith prescribed areas
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
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
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
Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
n/s registration plate lamp lens missing
o/s rear sill panel corroded outwith prescribed area
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
Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
both outer handbrake cables damaged
rear sub-frame bushes worn
Noise from handbrake shoe area when rear wheels rotated
n/s headlamp iam just meets test requirements
o/s handbrake cable in poor condition
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
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 )
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 )
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)
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)
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
o/s/f tyre wearing on inner edge
slight play in o/s/r anti roll bar link
some condensation in n/s headlamp
How Reliable is the BMW 523?
Based on 254,660 MOT tests across 20,979 vehicles.
Top MOT Failure Points
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.
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.