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S490 DHJ

1998 BMW 523

Green Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Jun 2027
Tests26 (21 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80.8%

Mileage

143,748 mi
Last recorded143,748 miles
Recorded on10 Jun 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW 523117,395 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationS490 DHJ
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

21 pass 5 fail
Pass 10 Jun 2026 143,748 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 13 Jun 2025 135,714 miles

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Fail 13 Jun 2025 135,714 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened Inner face fractured (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Fail 2 Apr 2025 135,713 miles

Offside Rear Lower Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn Front mounting (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement All other bushes showing signs of wear but not excessive (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 12 Feb 2024 134,517 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sill area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sill area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside windscreen has crack/chip upper

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

Pass 21 Feb 2023 132,899 miles

Condensation in headlights

Offside Upper Windscreen has small crack/chip

Pass 17 Mar 2022 131,144 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 25 Mar 2021 129,551 miles

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

Pass 27 Feb 2020 127,214 miles
Pass 20 Feb 2019 125,001 miles
Fail 20 Feb 2019 125,001 miles

Nearside Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Pass 9 Mar 2018 123,199 miles
Pass 21 Feb 2017 121,270 miles
Pass 23 Feb 2016 119,028 miles
Pass 19 Feb 2015 116,029 miles
Fail 19 Feb 2015 116,029 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 20 Feb 2014 113,332 miles
Fail 20 Feb 2014 113,332 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 22 Feb 2013 109,370 miles

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

Pass 21 Feb 2012 105,379 miles

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

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

Pass 17 Feb 2011 101,182 miles
Pass 18 Feb 2010 96,125 miles
Pass 27 Feb 2009 89,533 miles
Pass 20 Feb 2008 85,314 miles

Nearside Front 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 Mar 2007 78,649 miles

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

Pass 3 Mar 2006 76,917 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Rear rear brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

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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S490 DHJ is a 1998 BMW 523 in Green with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80.8%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 S490 DHJ, 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 S490 DHJ?

You can check the full history of S490 DHJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S490 DHJ registered?

S490 DHJ is a 1998 BMW 523, first registered on 23 December 1998.

Is S490 DHJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for S490 DHJ shows 26 tests with a 80.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S490 DHJ 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 S490 DHJ. 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.