1998 BMW 5 Series 2.5L Petrol · R138 JRE
1998 BMW 5 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 14 Jan 1998. Recorded mileage 333,234 miles. MOT expired on 21 Oct 2023.
- Make & Model
- BMW 5 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 21 Oct 2023
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 333,234 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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R138 JRE Key Findings
- 2 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 23/10/2023
- 333,234 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R138 JRE MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
2 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 BMW 5 Series (R138 JRE) between October 2022 and October 2023.
The record contains 1 pass and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 23 October 2023 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
R138 JRE Mileage History
- 14/10/2022329,849 mi
- 23/10/2023333,234 mi+3,385 mi
Average of roughly 3,305 miles per year across 2 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: Below 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.
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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 1998 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.
- ABS Module Failure (Bosch 5.7)Serious
On facelift models, the ABS module is located close to the exhaust manifold. Heat causes the internal wire bonds to fail, killing ABS and Traction Control.
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