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C197 HOA

1985 BMW 525

Blue Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Apr 2027
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

171,647 mi
Last recorded171,647 miles
Recorded on8 Apr 2026
Typical for 1985 BMW 525119,880 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC197 HOA
MakeBMW
Model525
Year1985
ColourBlue
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

19 pass 9 fail
Pass 8 Apr 2026 171,647 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Battery tray slightly corroded

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

car undersealed not alowing full inspection

Pass 28 Mar 2025 167,511 miles
Pass 8 Apr 2024 165,925 miles
Fail 8 Apr 2024 165,925 miles

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 7 Apr 2023 161,339 miles

advise fuel pipes corroded at rear

Fail 4 Apr 2023 161,329 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill at jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced outer sill at jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill at jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

advise fuel pipes corroded at rear

Pass 6 Apr 2022 160,397 miles

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

all brake pipes covered in grease

Pass 13 Apr 2021 157,880 miles

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

Fuel pipes rusty

Offside Rear Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Fail 31 Mar 2021 157,853 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

Fuel pipes rusty

Offside Rear Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Pass 20 Jan 2020 154,769 miles

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

Pass 7 Feb 2019 149,629 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Slight oil leàk

Pass 16 Mar 2018 144,715 miles

Oil leak ()

Pass 17 Jan 2017 139,625 miles
Fail 13 Jan 2017 139,625 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Pass 12 Mar 2016 134,023 miles

Nearside Front washer weak

Fail 7 Mar 2016 133,885 miles

Centre Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Centre Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose seriously damaged (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front washer weak

Pass 13 Mar 2015 128,403 miles

Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak

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

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

exhaust hangers deteriorated

Pass 31 Aug 2013 126,397 miles

BOTH FRONT BRAKE DISCS ARE WORN

BOTH FRONT STRUTS ARE SLIGHTLY STIFF

BOTH REAR BRAKE DISCS ARE WORN

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

EXHAUST SYSTEM IS CORRODED

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

NEARSIDE AND OFFSIDE INNER AND OUTER SILLS HAVE BEEN CHECKED..APPLIED FINGER AND THUMB PRESSURE AS PER THE M.O.T MANUAL

NEARSIDE FRONT HEADLAMP AIM IS AT ITS HIGHEST ACCEPITABLE LEVEL..WILL REQUIRE AJUSTEMENT..SET AT ZERO..ON THE DASH

NEARSIDE FRONT WASHER IS JUST HITTING THE SCREEN...

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

THE WHOLE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE..I.E FLOOR AREA HAS BEEN CHECKED..APPLIED FINGER AND THUMB PRESSURE AS PER THE M.O.TR MANUAL

Fail 24 Aug 2013 126,384 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

BOTH FRONT BRAKE DISCS ARE WORN

BOTH FRONT STRUTS ARE SLIGHTLY STIFF

BOTH REAR BRAKE DISCS ARE WORN

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

EXHAUST SYSTEM IS CORRODED

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

NEARSIDE AND OFFSIDE INNER AND OUTER SILLS HAVE BEEN CHECKED..APPLIED FINGER AND THUMB PRESSURE AS PER THE M.O.T MANUAL

NEARSIDE FRONT HEADLAMP AIM IS AT ITS HIGHEST ACCEPITABLE LEVEL..WILL REQUIRE AJUSTEMENT..SET AT ZERO..ON THE DASH

NEARSIDE FRONT WASHER IS JUST HITTING THE SCREEN...

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

THE WHOLE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE..I.E FLOOR AREA HAS BEEN CHECKED..APPLIED FINGER AND THUMB PRESSURE AS PER THE M.O.TR MANUAL

Fail 17 Jan 2012 120,508 miles

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Pass 17 Jan 2012 120,508 miles

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 22 Jan 2011 111,885 miles

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

exhaustgearbox bracket corroding.

Pass 4 Jan 2010 96,828 miles

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

Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

both rear tyres slightly perished

Pass 3 Feb 2009 92,891 miles
Fail 2 Feb 2009 92,891 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer torn (7.2.4c)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Fail 25 Jan 2008 86,197 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 25 Jan 2008 86,197 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2006 77,642 miles

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

How Reliable is the BMW 525?

Based on 724,963 MOT tests across 56,965 vehicles.

74.4%
Pass Rate
7,259
Miles/Year
37
Year Lifespan
56,965
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 33,171
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 17,448
Brake pipe excessively corroded 16,227
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 10,065
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 9,710
Full BMW 525 reliability report

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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

C197 HOA is a 1985 BMW 525 in Blue with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.9%.

Across all 1985 BMW 525 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.7% with a typical mileage of 119,880 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 525 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 33,171 recorded failures. If you're considering buying C197 HOA, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 525 typically stays on UK roads for around 37 years. At 41 years old, this BMW 525 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of C197 HOA?

You can check the full history of C197 HOA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C197 HOA registered?

C197 HOA is a 1985 BMW 525, first registered on 31 December 1985.

Is C197 HOA safe to buy?

The MOT history for C197 HOA 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 C197 HOA 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 C197 HOA. 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.