1997 BMW 5 Series 2.8L Petrol · P515 WKX
1997 BMW 5 Series (2.8L, petrol). First registered 10 Jan 1997. Recorded mileage 148,695 miles. MOT expired on 22 Jul 2023.
- Make & Model
- BMW 5 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 22 Jul 2023
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 148,695 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.8L
- 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.
P515 WKX Key Findings
- 23 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 04/12/2023
- 148,695 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 6 historical MOT failures
- 14 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (23 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P515 WKX MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
23 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 BMW 5 Series (P515 WKX) between July 2006 and December 2023.
The record contains 17 passes and 6 failures.
The most recent test on 04 December 2023 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (23 issues), Suspension (14 issues), Lighting (10 issues), Tyres (5 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 39 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))”; “Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))”; “Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))”.
P515 WKX Mileage History
- 01/07/200666,989 mi
- 20/07/200772,359 mi+5,370 mi
- 20/07/2007723,597 mi+651,238 mi
- 24/07/200877,276 mi-646,321 mi
- 21/07/200982,840 mi+5,564 mi
- 21/07/200982,840 mi
- 19/07/201089,554 mi+6,714 mi
- 19/07/201089,554 mi
- 22/07/201195,813 mi+6,259 mi
- 20/07/2012101,860 mi+6,047 mi
- 23/07/2013107,687 mi+5,827 mi
- 22/07/2014112,850 mi+5,163 mi
- 22/07/201518,614 mi-94,236 mi
- 05/07/2016123,332 mi+104,718 mi
- 21/07/2017126,492 mi+3,160 mi
- 18/07/2018130,123 mi+3,631 mi
- 17/07/2019133,063 mi+2,940 mi
- 14/07/2020136,127 mi+3,064 mi
- 03/06/2021139,511 mi+3,384 mi
- 25/06/2021139,700 mi+189 mi
- 07/07/2022142,968 mi+3,268 mi
- 12/07/2022142,969 mi+1 mi
- 04/12/2023148,695 mi+5,726 mi
Average of roughly 4,689 miles per year across 23 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
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: Poor
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 1997 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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