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A20 DCV

2003 BMW 520

Silver Petrol 2171cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Oct 2026
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

196,633 mi
Last recorded196,633 miles
Recorded on2 Oct 2025
Typical for 2003 BMW 52084,985 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationA20 DCV
MakeBMW
Model520
Year2003
ColourSilver
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

19 pass 9 fail
Pass 2 Oct 2025 196,633 miles
Fail 2 Oct 2025 196,631 miles

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Pass 17 Sep 2024 195,829 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Sep 2023 194,856 miles
Fail 6 Sep 2023 194,856 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill under car (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside handbrake low effort

Pass 16 Sep 2022 194,120 miles
Fail 7 Sep 2022 194,118 miles

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

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

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

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

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both front d bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Pass 9 Sep 2021 193,080 miles

front to rear fuel pipes corroded

Fail 1 Sep 2021 193,079 miles

Front Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

front to rear fuel pipes corroded

Pass 16 Oct 2020 192,609 miles
Fail 7 Oct 2020 192,608 miles

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

Brake pipe excessively corroded both front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Shock absorbers insecurely attached crack in body near lower mounting (5.3.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 6 Jun 2019 190,431 miles

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

rear wiper blade split

Fail 22 May 2019 190,419 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure outer sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

rear wiper blade split

Pass 5 Apr 2018 188,574 miles

Nearside Fuel Pipe/s corroded Front to rear. ()

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

Fail 5 Apr 2018 188,573 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Fuel Pipe/s corroded Front to rear. ()

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 15 Feb 2017 185,899 miles
Pass 22 Jan 2016 181,937 miles

Oil leak from bottom of engine.

Pass 27 Jan 2015 169,223 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Feb 2014 153,239 miles

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

Pass 21 Mar 2013 137,725 miles

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Fail 20 Mar 2013 137,725 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

Power steering fluid level below minimum (2.3.1)

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Pass 15 Mar 2012 122,744 miles

Nearside Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Pass 12 Mar 2011 106,028 miles
Pass 13 Mar 2010 92,480 miles
Pass 28 Mar 2009 84,433 miles
Pass 8 Sep 2007 69,319 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

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

Pass 11 Sep 2006 57,068 miles
Fail 7 Sep 2006 56,969 miles

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

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

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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A20 DCV is a 2003 BMW 520 in Silver with a 2,171cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.9%.

Across all 2003 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.5% with a typical mileage of 84,985 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 A20 DCV, 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 23 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 A20 DCV?

You can check the full history of A20 DCV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A20 DCV registered?

A20 DCV is a 2003 BMW 520, first registered on 12 September 2003.

Is A20 DCV safe to buy?

The MOT history for A20 DCV shows 28 tests with a 67.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A20 DCV 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 A20 DCV. 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.