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W197 VDA

2000 BMW 523

Grey Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Nov 2021
Tests22 (14 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate63.6%

Mileage

210,663 mi
Last recorded210,663 miles
Recorded on3 Nov 2020
Typical for 2000 BMW 523111,598 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationW197 VDA
MakeBMW
Model523
Year2000
ColourGrey
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

14 pass 8 fail
Pass 3 Nov 2020 210,663 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

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

engine covers and under trays fitted

Fail 3 Nov 2020 210,662 miles

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

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

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

engine covers and under trays fitted

Pass 21 Oct 2019 208,517 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

engine covers and under trays fitted

lamba wires insecure

Fail 9 Oct 2019 208,514 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working both (3.5 (a))

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

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

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

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

engine covers and under trays fitted

lamba wires insecure

Pass 3 Aug 2018 200,967 miles

Nearside Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

welding repairs undersealed unable to fully inspect

Fail 27 Jul 2018 200,889 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Body panel damaged and likely to cause injury mirror back (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension spring mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Brake pipe excessively corroded x2. above rear suspension (1.1.11 (c))

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

Central Rear Upper Brake pipe at imminent risk of failure or fracture (1.1.11 (a)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Pass 30 Mar 2017 194,181 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded both front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt drop link upper cover (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded inner wing to flex (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded flex to hub (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded inner wing to flex (3.6.B.2c)

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

Pass 20 Nov 2015 187,255 miles

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

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

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

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

rear exhaust heat shield insecure

Fail 20 Nov 2015 187,255 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

rear exhaust heat shield insecure

Pass 11 Nov 2014 180,155 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Rear registration plate delaminated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

front headlight lens slightly deteriorated

Fail 11 Nov 2013 176,799 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

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

both front headlight lens covers deteriorated slightly

Pass 11 Nov 2013 176,799 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

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

both front headlight lens covers deteriorated slightly

Pass 10 Nov 2012 172,042 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

o/s/r tyre scuffed on outer wall

Pass 2 Nov 2011 166,033 miles
Fail 1 Nov 2011 166,033 miles

Front registration plate has a feature which changes the appearance or legibility of the characters (6.3.4c)

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Rear registration plate delaminated (6.3.1d)

Rear registration plate has a feature which changes the appearance or legibility of the characters (6.3.4c)

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

clutch pedal rubber missing

fuel lines contain corrosion

gearbox oil leaks

nearside rear tyre worn low

slight play in nearside rear and offside rear lower suspension arms

variuos brake pipes contain corrosion

Pass 28 May 2010 155,811 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 27 Nov 2008 142,685 miles
Pass 8 Nov 2007 131,565 miles
Fail 6 Nov 2007 131,540 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not in a clean condition affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

offside front tyre worn on outside egde

Pass 21 Nov 2006 120,075 miles
Fail 17 Nov 2006 120,075 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 13 Oct 2005 108,670 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

W197 VDA is a 2000 BMW 523 in Grey with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.6%.

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 W197 VDA, 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 W197 VDA?

You can check the full history of W197 VDA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was W197 VDA registered?

W197 VDA is a 2000 BMW 523, first registered on 31 March 2000.

Is W197 VDA safe to buy?

The MOT history for W197 VDA shows 22 tests with a 63.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does W197 VDA 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 W197 VDA. 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.