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Official DVLA Record

1928 BMW R52 0.5L Petrol · BF 6657

BF 6657

1928 BMW R52 (0.5L, petrol). First registered 31/12/1928. MOT status: Expired.

Make & Model
BMW R52
Year / Origin
1928 · Birmingham
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Valid until 03/04/2023
Road Tax
Untaxed (01/06/2024)
Recorded Mileage
—
ULEZ Compliance
Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 0.5L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Expired
Valid until 03/04/2023
Tax Status
Untaxed
Tax due 01/06/2024
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
1928
Engine
486cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle currently holds a valid roadworthiness status based on its most recent inspection. The MOT test performed in April 2022 returned a clean pass with no defects recorded, indicating the vehicle met the minimum safety standards at that time. However, because no further tests have been recorded in over four years, the maintenance trend cannot be classified as stable or improving. The lack of recent data suggests the vehicle may have sat stationary or been operated outside of standard annual testing cycles. Data regarding mileage is entirely insufficient to perform an analysis of usage or wear patterns. Without a recorded reading from the 2022 test to compare, it is impossible to determine if the car is driven regularly or has suffered from prolonged inactivity. For a vehicle of this age, the absence of mileage data prevents an assessment of the mechanical fatigue on components such as the engine, gearbox, or suspension assembly. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection focusing on the structural integrity of the chassis and the condition of critical mechanical components. Since the last recorded check was four years ago, there is a high risk of seized brake components, perished rubber seals, and fluid degradation in the fuel system. Particular attention should be paid to the braking system for seized calipers and the exhaust system for advanced corrosion, as these areas often deteriorate rapidly during periods of non-use.

BF 6657 Key Findings

  • 1 MOT test recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 05/04/2022
  • No defects recorded at the latest MOT

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
65
/ 100 · Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Average

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed
✓ Taxed
✓ Exceptional MOT pass rate (100%)
! Older vehicle
Experian Provenance Check

Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for BF6657

Data provided by Experian
Stolen
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Finance
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Write-off
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Salvage
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Imported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Exported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Scrapped
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Destruction
EXPERIAN
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V5C Logbook
EXPERIAN
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Technical Specifications

May be subject to ULEZ charges

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BF 6657 MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 23 Sept 2026, 20:11
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

1 MOT test are recorded for this 1928 BMW R52 (BF 6657) between April 2022 and April 2022.

The record contains 1 pass and 0 failures.

The record shows no MOT failures, although 0 advisory notices note items to monitor.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
85/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£500-£1,200 (Primarily for specialist servicing and insurance)
Mileage
Mileage is not applicable for a vehicle ...

Our Verdict

This 1928 BMW R52 is a significant piece of motoring history that requires a specialist owner. Proceed with caution, as its age necessitates expert mechanical knowledge and a commitment to preservation rather than daily use.

When purchasing a vehicle of this vintage, the priority must be provenance and originality. Verify that the engine and frame numbers match the original documentation, as replacement parts for the 486cc flat-twin engine are scarce and often require bespoke fabrication.

Check for any signs of structural fatigue in the frame and ensure that the fuel system has been properly maintained to handle modern petrol, which can be corrosive to older seals and fuel lines. A full inspection by a specialist in pre-war BMW motorcycles is highly recommended before finalising any purchase.

Running a 1928 motorcycle is not comparable to modern transport; costs are dominated by specialist maintenance rather than fuel or road tax. As a vehicle over 40 years old, it is currently exempt from UK Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), though you should ensure your registration remains updated with the DVLA as a historic vehicle.

Insurance will require a specialist classic policy, which is often surprisingly affordable, though it may be limited by mileage. Budget significantly for bespoke servicing and the sourcing of rare components, as standard garages will not be equipped to handle an engine of this age.

Focus your inspection on the integrity of the cycle parts and the engine's oil-tightness. The 2022 MOT pass indicates that the machine is in roadworthy condition, but you should look for signs of corrosion on the wheels and frame, as well as the condition of the rubber components which may have perished over time.

Test the operation of the manual ignition timing and the hand-operated gear change if applicable to this specific configuration. Ensure the electrical system, specifically the magneto or early lighting circuits, has been overhauled, as these are common failure points for motorcycles of this era.

This black BMW R52 is a rare pre-war motorcycle, first registered in December 1928. It represents a unique opportunity for collectors, having successfully passed its most recent MOT in April 2022 with no recorded defects. Given its nearly century-long lifespan, it is an exceptional survivor that demands careful appraisal.

As a 1928 model, there is no aggregate reliability data available; however, the R52 is renowned among enthusiasts for its robust engineering for the period.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns