CarVerify

Free Car Check

BF51 SXX

2001 BMW 520

Green Petrol 2171cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Feb 2027
Tests28 (20 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

153,000 mi
Last recorded153,000 miles
Recorded on7 Feb 2026
Typical for 2001 BMW 52098,478 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

RegistrationBF51 SXX
MakeBMW
Model520
Year2001
ColourGreen
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

20 pass 8 fail
Pass 7 Feb 2026 153,000 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Both central to front pipes have surface corrosion (1.1.11 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Nearside and offside front pipes have surface corrosion (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Pass 6 Aug 2025 151,903 miles

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both fronts (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Front Prop shaft flexible coupling slightly deteriorated (6.1.7 (d) (i))

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))

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

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

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated all rears (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive subframe mounting areas (5.3.6 (a) (i))

undertrays fitted obscuring view of some components such as brake/fuel lines

Fail 24 Jun 2025 151,888 miles

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

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

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

EML light is on

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both front hoses (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Front Prop shaft flexible coupling slightly deteriorated (6.1.7 (d) (i))

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))

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

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

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both rear hoses (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive subframe mounts (5.3.6 (a) (i))

undertrays fitted obscuring view of some components such as brake/fuel pipes etc

Fail 10 Mar 2025 151,843 miles

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

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective split seal (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low unable to adjust (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill /jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rearmost arm (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too low unable to adjust (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill/jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rearmost arm (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

EML is on

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both front hoses (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear brake pipes are corroded at front end. difficult to see as undertrays are fitted (1.1.11 (c))

Front Side repeater slightly discoloured both fronts (4.4.3 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded at rear ()

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both rears are slightly corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear Prop shaft flexible coupling slightly deteriorated (6.1.7 (d) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive subframe mounts (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Feb 2024 144,469 miles

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

Pass 24 Feb 2023 134,347 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 25 Feb 2022 123,717 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 23 Feb 2022 123,716 miles

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 17 Dec 2020 119,099 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 8 Jan 2020 116,944 miles

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Pass 11 Jan 2019 113,750 miles
Fail 4 Jan 2019 113,735 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose damaged and likely to fail (1.1.12 (a)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake hose damaged and likely to fail (1.1.12 (a)) DANGEROUS

Pass 12 Jan 2018 110,111 miles
Pass 5 Jan 2017 104,934 miles

Nearside Rear parking brake effort just on legal limit

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

oil leak from engine

Pass 8 Jan 2016 99,109 miles

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint drop link (2.4.G.2)

front anti roll bar offside front rubber d bush slightly worn

nearside and offside rear wheel parking brake effort just above legal limit

Pass 19 Dec 2014 92,023 miles

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

front anti roll bar offside front rubber d bush slightly worn

Pass 15 Jan 2014 86,682 miles

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

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

Fail 13 Jan 2014 86,677 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (3.6.G.2)

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

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

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

Fail 8 Jan 2013 82,700 miles

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 8 Jan 2013 82,700 miles
Pass 10 Jan 2012 800,023 miles
Pass 11 Jan 2011 78,750 miles
Pass 14 Jan 2010 76,475 miles
Fail 14 Jan 2010 76,475 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Fail 7 Jan 2009 73,671 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 7 Jan 2009 73,671 miles
Pass 14 Jan 2008 70,386 miles
Pass 20 Sep 2006 55,345 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

BF51 SXX is a 2001 BMW 520 in Green with a 2,171cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

Across all 2001 BMW 520 models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.5% with a typical mileage of 98,478 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 BF51 SXX, 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 25 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 BF51 SXX?

You can check the full history of BF51 SXX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BF51 SXX registered?

BF51 SXX is a 2001 BMW 520, first registered on 1 September 2001.

Is BF51 SXX safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF51 SXX shows 28 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF51 SXX 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 BF51 SXX. 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.