CarVerify

Free Car Check

S581 HNH

1998 BMW 523

Blue Petrol 2494cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires15 Mar 2017
Tests20 (11 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate55%

Mileage

135,886 mi
Last recorded135,886 miles
Recorded on16 Mar 2016
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
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationS581 HNH
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

11 pass 9 fail
Pass 16 Mar 2016 135,886 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 8 Mar 2016 135,873 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

Nearside Rear Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

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

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

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 24 Feb 2015 133,414 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 10 Feb 2014 130,311 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Mar 2013 126,198 miles
Fail 22 Feb 2013 126,193 miles

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Fail 16 Feb 2013 126,123 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 Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

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

Fuel pipes corroded.

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Rear diff oil leak.

Pass 22 Feb 2012 120,941 miles

Fuel pipes corroded.

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 21 Feb 2012 120,941 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Fuel pipes corroded.

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 11 Feb 2012 120,730 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Outer Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

air bag light staying on

front windscreen wiper blades worn

oil leak [back axle]

Pass 23 Feb 2011 117,143 miles
Fail 22 Feb 2011 117,143 miles

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 19 Feb 2011 117,116 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

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

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

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

Nearside Outer Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Outer Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Outer Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

air bag light staying on

Fail 18 Feb 2010 111,482 miles

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

Offside Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 18 Feb 2010 111,482 miles

Offside Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 6 Mar 2009 105,332 miles
Fail 27 Feb 2009 105,313 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Pass 20 Feb 2008 99,762 miles
Pass 22 Feb 2007 92,530 miles
Pass 25 Feb 2006 87,004 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

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

S581 HNH is a 1998 BMW 523 in Blue with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55%.

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 S581 HNH, 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 S581 HNH?

You can check the full history of S581 HNH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S581 HNH registered?

S581 HNH is a 1998 BMW 523, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is S581 HNH safe to buy?

The MOT history for S581 HNH shows 20 tests with a 55% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S581 HNH 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 S581 HNH. 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.