1996 BMW 5 Series 1.8L Petrol · N401 YDP
1996 BMW 5 Series (1.8L, petrol). First registered 11 Mar 1996. Recorded mileage 144,054 miles. MOT valid until 09 Nov 2026.
- Make & Model
- BMW 5 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Newcastle
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 09 Nov 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 144,054 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
N401 YDP Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 10/11/2025
- 144,054 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
N401 YDP MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1996 BMW 5 Series (N401 YDP) between August 2022 and November 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 10 November 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
N401 YDP Mileage History
- 04/08/2022134,375 mi
- 04/08/2023138,746 mi+4,371 mi
- 02/10/2024143,223 mi+4,477 mi
- 04/11/2024143,324 mi+101 mi
- 10/11/2025144,054 mi+730 mi
Average of roughly 2,961 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for BMW 5 Series (E39)
Our database tracks 5 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
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.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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BMW 5 SERIES Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1996 model year cars.
- Cooling System "Explosion"Serious
Plastic radiators, expansion tanks, and water pump impellers fail with age. One overheating event can warp the aluminium head or blow the head gasket on straight-six and V8 models.
- Thrust Arm Bush Failure (50mph Shimmy)Moderate
The front suspension relies on large rubber hydro-bushes in the thrust arms. When these leak or tear, the car develops a severe vibration through the steering wheel.
- V8 Timing Chain Guide FailureSerious
On 540i models, the U-shaped plastic timing chain guide shatters, leading to potential engine destruction if the chain jumps.
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