CarVerify

Free Car Check

BD53 JAF

2003 BMW 520

Black Petrol 1991cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Mar 2027
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

166,811 mi
Last recorded166,811 miles
Recorded on27 Mar 2026
Typical for 2003 BMW 52084,985 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationBD53 JAF
MakeBMW
Model520
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,991cc

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

20 pass 9 fail
Pass 27 Mar 2026 166,811 miles

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

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

Fail 27 Mar 2026 166,811 miles

Driver's airbag obviously inoperative (7.1.5 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

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

Pass 13 Mar 2025 161,565 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 13 Mar 2025 161,565 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect head lamp lens blurry (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect head lamp lens blurry (4.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 6 Mar 2024 156,735 miles

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

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

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

noise from engine / crank pully?

Fail 6 Mar 2024 156,731 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Offside Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

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

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

noise from engine / crank pully?

Pass 6 Mar 2023 151,198 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 3 Mar 2022 145,205 miles
Fail 3 Mar 2022 145,204 miles

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

Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Pass 4 Mar 2021 138,702 miles

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

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

Pass 3 Mar 2020 134,296 miles

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Pass 5 Mar 2019 128,265 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material slightly rusty (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material slightly rusty (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) tie rod joint knocking ()

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

Oil leak, but not excessive rear differential, input seal leaking slightly (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both sides, rear upper arm joint boots deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view stone chip in 'a' zone (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 25 Feb 2019 128,104 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect headlamp lenses are deteriorated, affecting light output and beam image (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated rubber split (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn lower, rearmost balljoint has excess movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Bonnet primary retaining device excessively deteriorated bonnet lock not working (3.1 (c))

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect headlamp lenses are deteriorated, affecting light output and beam image (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated rubber split and the inner can be seen (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material slightly rusty (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material slightly rusty (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) tie rod joint knocking ()

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

Oil leak, but not excessive rear differential, input seal leaking slightly (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both sides, rear upper arm joint boots deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view stone chip in 'a' zone (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 26 Feb 2018 124,302 miles

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

Fail 19 Feb 2018 124,258 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 Feb 2017 121,671 miles

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 18 Feb 2017 121,628 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated Also handbrake lamp stays on. (3.6.G.2)

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

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Misty (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit Also bold on edges. (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Misty (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

Pass 19 Feb 2016 117,380 miles
Pass 12 Jan 2015 111,805 miles

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

Pass 24 Jan 2014 106,797 miles
Fail 23 Jan 2014 106,797 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Jan 2013 97,362 miles
Fail 11 Jan 2013 97,352 miles

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

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

exhaust rear silencer bracket adrift

Pass 13 Jan 2012 88,356 miles

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

Pass 13 Jan 2011 80,811 miles
Pass 29 Dec 2009 69,439 miles
Pass 23 Dec 2008 65,747 miles
Pass 28 Dec 2007 61,009 miles
Pass 8 Dec 2006 46,213 miles

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

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

BD53 JAF is a 2003 BMW 520 in Black with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 BD53 JAF, 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 BD53 JAF?

You can check the full history of BD53 JAF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BD53 JAF registered?

BD53 JAF is a 2003 BMW 520, first registered on 27 October 2003.

Is BD53 JAF safe to buy?

The MOT history for BD53 JAF shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BD53 JAF 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 BD53 JAF. 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.