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Bmw 523 - 1998

343.5 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1998 is 342.9 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw 523, model year 1998. Sample size: 256 cars, 568 tests and 1,951 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 256 cars

The 1998 BMW 523 has an overall defect rate of 344 per 100 vehicles, which is slightly higher than the average for its year at 339 per 100. Notably, this model performs better in steering and body/structure issues, reporting significantly fewer defects in these categories compared to the average. However, it struggles with equipment and other defects, showing a higher rate of issues in these areas than the typical vehicle of the same year. Mileage-related trends indicate that defect rates increase with higher mileage, particularly in the 93,000-124,000 and 124,000+ mile ranges, where the BMW's defect rates are more pronounced compared to the average.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 256 cars

More model years for Bmw 523

1997 1998 1999 2000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Other models from Bmw

Bmw 114 Bmw 116 Bmw 118 Bmw 120 Bmw 123 Bmw 125 Bmw 216 Bmw 218 Bmw 220 Bmw 316 Bmw 318 Bmw 320 Bmw 330 Bmw 335 Bmw 418 Bmw 420 Bmw 428 Bmw 430 Bmw 435 Bmw 440 Bmw 518 Bmw 520 Bmw 523 Bmw 525 Bmw 528 Bmw 530 Bmw 535 Bmw 630 Bmw 640 Bmw 645 Bmw 650 Bmw 728 Bmw 730 Bmw 740 Bmw 840 Bmw ALPINA Bmw I3 Bmw I4 Bmw IX3 Bmw M2 Bmw M3 Bmw M340D Bmw M4 Bmw M5 Bmw M6 Bmw X1 Bmw X2 Bmw X3 Bmw X4 Bmw X5 Bmw X6 Bmw X7 Bmw Z3 Bmw Z4

Categories

Brakes
▼ 10.8% worse
165.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 149.4 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▲ 23.0% better
19.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.6 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 11.8% better
23.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.3 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▼ 16.2% worse
77.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 66.7 / 100 tests
  • Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
  • Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 1.8% better
253.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 257.8 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▲ 53.2% better
37.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 80.5 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
Equipment
▼ 41.7% worse
28.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 20.4 / 100 tests
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • A seat belt:
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Other
▼ 37.8% worse
81.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 59.0 / 100 tests
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
  • Emissions test unable to be completed

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 543 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 162
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 144
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 134
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 122
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 102
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 66
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 53
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 52
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 46
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 43

Serious faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 52
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 31
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 31
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 28
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 28
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 27
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 26
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 25
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 21