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SW51 HYO

2002 BMW 520

White Petrol 2171cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Apr 2027
Tests30 (15 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate50%

Mileage

192,337 mi
Last recorded192,337 miles
Recorded on3 Apr 2026
Typical for 2002 BMW 52093,444 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationSW51 HYO
MakeBMW
Model520
Year2002
ColourWhite
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,171cc

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

15 pass 15 fail
Pass 3 Apr 2026 192,337 miles
Pass 9 Apr 2024 189,446 miles
Fail 9 Apr 2024 189,446 miles

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

Pass 23 Sep 2022 183,762 miles

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 10 Sep 2022 183,749 miles

Central Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced FLOOR HOLED AND CORRODED (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Inner Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced REAR INNER SILLS (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 16 Nov 2019 126,992 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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 rearmost (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

underside of vehicle coated in underseal not allowing full inspection of all components

Fail 14 Nov 2019 126,992 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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 rearmost (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

underside of vehicle coated in underseal not allowing full inspection of all components

Pass 26 Oct 2018 122,966 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fail 23 Oct 2018 122,957 miles

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

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 27 Oct 2017 118,247 miles

Engine covers and under trays fitted preventing a full inspection

Vehicle undersealed preventing a full inspection

front brake pipes painted preventing a full inspection

Fail 25 Oct 2017 118,237 miles

Offside Rear Radius arm has excessive play in a ball joint rear most, upper radius arm (2.4.G.2)

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

Engine covers and under trays fitted preventing a full inspection

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

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

Nearside Rear Radius arm has slight play in a ball joint rear most, upper (2.4.G.2)

Under trays damaged and slightly insecure

Vehicle undersealed preventing a full inspection

front brake pipes painted preventing a full inspection

Pass 19 Oct 2016 112,787 miles

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

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

Fail 17 Oct 2016 112,728 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint rear (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

Pass 14 Oct 2015 106,114 miles
Fail 6 Oct 2015 106,016 miles

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Front Exhaust system not adequately supported nuts rusted off (7.1.1)

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bearing bottom (2.4.G.2)

both front shockers soft

Pass 31 Oct 2014 103,783 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 30 Oct 2014 103,783 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 2 Nov 2013 97,971 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

spare wheel missing

Fail 26 Oct 2013 97,744 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nearside Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

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

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

spare wheel missing

Pass 31 Oct 2012 85,935 miles

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

Fail 23 Oct 2012 85,927 miles

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

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

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

Nearside front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

Nearside rear brake juddering severely (3.7.A.5b)

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

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

Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

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

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

Offside rear brake juddering severely (3.7.A.5b)

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

Engine management light on

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

Fail 27 Jan 2011 85,897 miles

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

Nearside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

Nearside front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

Nearside rear brake juddering severely (3.7.A.5b)

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

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

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

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

Offside rear brake juddering severely (3.7.A.5b)

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

Fail 13 Nov 2010 85,827 miles

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

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

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

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

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

both rear discs badly corroded .

Pass 7 Dec 2009 82,401 miles

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

Pass 11 Dec 2008 68,065 miles
Fail 11 Dec 2008 68,065 miles

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 2 Nov 2006 60,796 miles
Fail 2 Nov 2006 60,796 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bolt(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

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

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

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

Pass 28 Nov 2005 53,564 miles
Fail 28 Nov 2005 53,564 miles

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

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

nearside rear tyre punctured

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

SW51 HYO is a 2002 BMW 520 in White with a 2,171cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 50%.

Across all 2002 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.7% with a typical mileage of 93,444 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 520 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 47,121 recorded failures. If you're considering buying SW51 HYO, 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 24 years old, this BMW 520 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of SW51 HYO?

You can check the full history of SW51 HYO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SW51 HYO registered?

SW51 HYO is a 2002 BMW 520, first registered on 4 January 2002.

Is SW51 HYO safe to buy?

The MOT history for SW51 HYO shows 30 tests with a 50% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SW51 HYO 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 SW51 HYO. 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.