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V488 FCG

2000 BMW 523

Silver Petrol 2500cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Dec 2026
Tests31 (21 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate67.7%

Mileage

191,136 mi
Last recorded191,136 miles
Recorded on10 Dec 2025
Typical for 2000 BMW 523111,598 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationV488 FCG
MakeBMW
Model523
Year2000
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,500cc

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 10 fail
Pass 10 Dec 2025 191,136 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (Chipped and has scuff mark) (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Dec 2024 188,424 miles

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

Fail 3 Dec 2024 188,421 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 13 Dec 2023 180,999 miles

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

Fail 12 Dec 2023 180,996 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (Rearmost arm) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 8 Dec 2022 172,144 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 (At limits. Advise immediate replacement,) (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 15 Dec 2021 169,723 miles

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

Fail 9 Dec 2021 169,618 miles

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

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

Pass 10 Dec 2020 162,873 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Exhaust heat shield insecure.

Fail 10 Dec 2020 162,873 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Exhaust heat shield insecure.

Pass 21 Nov 2019 156,165 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Fail 21 Nov 2019 156,165 miles

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 4 Dec 2018 147,092 miles

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 29 Nov 2017 135,404 miles
Fail 28 Nov 2017 135,403 miles

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

Pass 2 Dec 2016 124,654 miles

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

Fail 29 Nov 2016 124,547 miles

Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure (3.3.B.1a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 10 Dec 2015 114,275 miles
Fail 10 Dec 2015 114,275 miles

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

Pass 26 Nov 2014 102,750 miles

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

Fail 25 Nov 2014 102,750 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 19 Nov 2013 91,109 miles
Pass 13 Dec 2012 82,369 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 13 Dec 2012 82,369 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Nov 2011 71,978 miles

both wipers slightly smeary

Pass 24 Nov 2010 65,985 miles
Pass 8 Dec 2009 60,107 miles
Pass 11 Dec 2008 54,894 miles
Pass 4 Dec 2007 50,157 miles
Pass 7 Dec 2006 44,189 miles
Pass 25 Nov 2005 38,824 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.

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V488 FCG is a 2000 BMW 523 in Silver with a 2,500cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.7%.

Across all 2000 BMW 523 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.9% with a typical mileage of 111,598 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 V488 FCG, 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 26 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 V488 FCG?

You can check the full history of V488 FCG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was V488 FCG registered?

V488 FCG is a 2000 BMW 523, first registered on 1 January 2000.

Is V488 FCG safe to buy?

The MOT history for V488 FCG shows 31 tests with a 67.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does V488 FCG 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 V488 FCG. 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.