CarVerify

Free Car Check

SO53 LUL

2003 BMW 316

Silver Petrol 1895cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires13 May 2026
Tests29 (16 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate55.2%

Mileage

59,067 mi
Last recorded59,067 miles
Recorded on14 May 2025
Typical for 2003 BMW 31673,348 mi

Below or 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 £9.99

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

RegistrationSO53 LUL
MakeBMW
Model316
Year2003
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,895cc

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

16 pass 13 fail
Pass 14 May 2025 59,067 miles

car burning oil

rea o/s/r outter sill welded

rear battery tray holed

rear subframe corroded

Fail 2 May 2025 59,056 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective seal perished (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect both (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working 2bulbs (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage fractured (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

fromt b/pipes poorly fitted

oil warn light on/oil leak

poor repair o/s rear inner sill

rear sub frame corroded

washers poor

Pass 3 May 2024 56,885 miles

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

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

Fail 2 May 2024 56,883 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting outer cill holed and corroded (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 1 May 2024 56,881 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective petrol cap sealant ring (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Brake pipe excessively corroded metal brake pipe corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Outer Brake pipe excessively corroded metal brake pipe corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced outer sill at jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced battery box corroded to excess (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

plastic oversills fitted obscuring testable items

Pass 27 Apr 2023 55,899 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Fail 24 Apr 2023 55,899 miles

Central Front Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 14 Feb 2022 55,383 miles

Exhaust hanger bracket corroded

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

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

Offside Rear Fuel cap seal perished

Rear Rear shokes corroded

Pass 20 Jan 2021 53,651 miles

fuel cap seal perished

Fail 19 Jan 2021 53,651 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (5.2.3 (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (5.2.3 (i))

fuel cap seal perished

Pass 3 Jul 2019 46,810 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule all (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 3 Jul 2019 46,809 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule all (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 3 Dec 2015 46,776 miles

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

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

Fail 2 Dec 2015 46,776 miles

Nearside Front Brake back plate(s) securing device excessively deteriorated (3.5.1j)

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)

Pass 4 Dec 2014 46,684 miles

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Pass 20 Nov 2013 45,346 miles

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

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

Fail 18 Nov 2013 45,341 miles

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

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

Pass 22 Nov 2012 39,935 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 21 Nov 2012 39,935 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 15 Nov 2011 34,087 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

fuel cap seal just starting to split

Fail 1 Nov 2011 33,797 miles

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

fuel cap seal just starting to split

Pass 28 Oct 2010 27,712 miles
Fail 28 Oct 2010 27,712 miles

Offside Front front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Offside Front front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2) DANGEROUS

Pass 3 Nov 2009 21,556 miles

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

exhaust bracket broken but exhaust still secure

surface cuts in sidewalls on both front tyres and offside rear tyre

Fail 3 Nov 2009 21,556 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

exhaust bracket broken but exhaust still secure

surface cuts in sidewalls on both front tyres and offside rear tyre

Pass 25 Nov 2008 18,176 miles
Fail 25 Nov 2008 18,176 miles

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 14 Nov 2007 14,167 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2006 10,218 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 316?

Based on 1,210,990 MOT tests across 108,989 vehicles.

69.2%
Pass Rate
5,781
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
108,989
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 71,150
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 70,761
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 45,241
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 39,617
parking brake recording little or no effort 33,703
Full BMW 316 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

SO53 LUL is a 2003 BMW 316 in Silver with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.2%.

Across all 2003 BMW 316 models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.3% with a typical mileage of 73,348 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 316 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 71,150 recorded failures. If you're considering buying SO53 LUL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 316 typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 23 years old, this BMW 316 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of SO53 LUL?

You can check the full history of SO53 LUL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SO53 LUL registered?

SO53 LUL is a 2003 BMW 316, first registered on 11 December 2003.

Is SO53 LUL safe to buy?

The MOT history for SO53 LUL shows 29 tests with a 55.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SO53 LUL 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 SO53 LUL. 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.