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S591 GWL

1998 BMW 523

Blue Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Sep 2027
Tests35 (21 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

237,223 mi
Last recorded237,223 miles
Recorded on4 Sep 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW 523117,395 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS591 GWL
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

21 pass 14 fail
Pass 4 Sep 2026 237,223 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 27 Aug 2025 234,425 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed cut on webbing but under 4mm (7.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 225/55 16 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 21 Aug 2025 234,418 miles

Front Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed cut on webbing but under 4mm (7.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 225/55 16 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 1 Aug 2024 231,905 miles
Fail 1 Aug 2024 231,904 miles

Nearside Front Outer Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Cracking on tread pattern 225/55/16 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing cracking on tread pattern (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Cracking on tread pattern (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 17 Aug 2023 228,376 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2022 224,596 miles

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

fuel and brake pipes corroded

Fail 4 Aug 2022 224,590 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

fuel and brake pipes corroded

Pass 8 Jul 2021 222,161 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (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))

fuel pipes cororded

Pass 19 Jul 2020 220,147 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 10 Jul 2019 218,254 miles

Central Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside 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))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Fail 8 Jul 2019 218,247 miles

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Central Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside 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))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Pass 6 Jul 2018 216,351 miles

Central Rear Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

both rear flexi brake hoses cracking

n/s sill damaged

rear exhaust heat shield loose

steering wheel worn

Fail 28 Jun 2018 216,349 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim so that beam "kick up" is not visible on the screen (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim so that beam "kick up" is not visible on the screen (4.1.2 (a))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Rear Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt slightly damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

both rear flexi brake hoses cracking

n/s sill damaged

rear exhaust heat shield loose

steering wheel worn

Pass 29 Jun 2017 213,475 miles

Central Rear Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is distorted but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm & perished & worn smooth on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2.5mm & perished & worn on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Fail 16 Jun 2017 213,395 miles

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (5.2.6)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside rear parking (secondary) brakes imbalanced (3.7.B.6b)

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

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (5.2.6)

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

Central Rear Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is distorted but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm & perished & worn smooth on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2.5mm & perished & worn on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Pass 24 Jun 2016 210,187 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

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

Rear tyres cracking

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

fuel pipes corroded

oil leak

Fail 16 Jun 2016 210,136 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded x2 (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

Rear tyres cracking

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

fuel pipes corroded

oil leak

Pass 21 Jun 2015 207,483 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

fuel pipes corouded

Fail 6 Jun 2015 207,482 miles

Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

fuel pipes corouded

Pass 23 May 2014 204,274 miles

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

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

Pass 30 May 2013 199,941 miles
Pass 4 Jun 2012 193,883 miles

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

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

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

o/s front disc getting near to warning marks

Fail 31 May 2012 193,877 miles

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

o/s front disc getting near to warning marks

Pass 27 May 2011 187,045 miles
Fail 20 May 2011 186,930 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 May 2010 181,776 miles
Fail 20 May 2010 181,764 miles

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

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

o/s rear coil spring poss fractured at top.

Pass 29 May 2009 175,639 miles
Fail 29 May 2009 175,639 miles

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

Pass 28 May 2008 169,691 miles

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

Pass 9 Mar 2007 162,441 miles
Fail 5 Mar 2007 162,433 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Feb 2006 155,611 miles
Fail 10 Feb 2006 155,247 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image too far to the right (1.6.B4)

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

S591 GWL is a 1998 BMW 523 in Blue with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

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 S591 GWL, 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 S591 GWL?

You can check the full history of S591 GWL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S591 GWL registered?

S591 GWL is a 1998 BMW 523, first registered on 18 November 1998.

Is S591 GWL safe to buy?

The MOT history for S591 GWL shows 35 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S591 GWL 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 S591 GWL. 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.