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S501 DBN

1998 BMW 520

Silver Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Nov 2026
Tests20 (18 pass, 2 fail)
Pass rate90%

Mileage

122,637 mi
Last recorded122,637 miles
Recorded on28 Nov 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW 520121,173 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

RegistrationS501 DBN
MakeBMW
Model520
Year1998
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,991cc

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 2 fail
Pass 28 Nov 2025 122,637 miles

Offside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill/jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 20 Nov 2024 119,453 miles

Front Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sill jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 7 Nov 2023 117,133 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge limits!!! (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive jacking area/ undersill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency only just met. it would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair.

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement n/s and o/s (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge x 2 limits (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play n/s and o/s (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 7 Nov 2023 117,133 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge limits!!! (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive jacking area/ undersill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency only just met. it would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair.

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement n/s and o/s (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge x 2 limits (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play n/s and o/s (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Pass 17 Nov 2022 113,013 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material x2 main and front (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive jacking area/ undersill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Lower Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn n/s and o/s (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play n/s and o/s (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

hand brake efficiency only just met requires attention

Fail 17 Nov 2022 113,013 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material x2 main and front (1.1.11 (c))

Headlamp aim too low n/s and o/s (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive jacking area/ undersill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Lower Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn n/s and o/s (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play n/s and o/s (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

hand brake efficiency only just met requires attention

Pass 16 Nov 2021 108,560 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin front and rear (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material x 2 main (1.1.11 (c))

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement n/s and o/s (forward) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Nearside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive jacking area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated n/s and o/s (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

hand brake efficiency only just met requires attention

Pass 23 Jul 2020 105,077 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 26 Mar 2019 89,860 miles

Nearside Front Tyre is cracking

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre is cracking and wearing on inner edge

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

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

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

Pass 14 Oct 2016 82,260 miles

Engine covers fitted

Not all brake pads visible

Undertrays fitted obscuring view of some components

Pass 3 Sep 2015 72,506 miles

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

Pass 30 Sep 2014 67,484 miles
Pass 17 Sep 2013 63,233 miles

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

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

Pass 17 Sep 2012 61,158 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2011 58,953 miles

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

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

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

front discs slightly worn

Pass 16 Sep 2010 55,587 miles
Pass 16 Sep 2009 53,207 miles
Pass 11 Sep 2008 49,779 miles

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

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

Pass 24 Aug 2007 46,551 miles

front & rear brake pads approx 70% worn

Pass 26 Aug 2006 42,733 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 520?

Based on 1,661,806 MOT tests across 152,584 vehicles.

78.5%
Pass Rate
7,968
Miles/Year
35
Year Lifespan
152,584
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 47,121
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 22,647
Brake pipe excessively corroded 16,724
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 15,884
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 14,720
Full BMW 520 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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S501 DBN is a 1998 BMW 520 in Silver with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 90%.

Across all 1998 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.2% with a typical mileage of 121,173 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW 520 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 47,121 recorded failures. If you're considering buying S501 DBN, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 520 typically stays on UK roads for around 35 years. At 28 years old, this BMW 520 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of S501 DBN?

You can check the full history of S501 DBN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S501 DBN registered?

S501 DBN is a 1998 BMW 520, first registered on 28 August 1998.

Is S501 DBN safe to buy?

The MOT history for S501 DBN shows 20 tests with a 90% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S501 DBN 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 S501 DBN. 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.