1998 BMW 5 Series 2.8L Petrol · R166 LFG
1998 BMW 5 Series (2.8L, petrol). First registered 31 Dec 1998. Recorded mileage 162,913 miles. MOT valid until 15 Nov 2026.
- Make & Model
- BMW 5 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 15 Nov 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 162,913 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.
R166 LFG Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 05/11/2025
- 162,913 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.
R166 LFG 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 1998 BMW 5 Series (R166 LFG) between November 2022 and November 2025.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 05 November 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
R166 LFG Mileage History
- 07/11/2022152,339 mi
- 09/11/2022152,339 mi
- 16/10/2023155,966 mi+3,627 mi
- 16/10/2024159,766 mi+3,800 mi
- 05/11/2025162,913 mi+3,147 mi
Average of roughly 3,530 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 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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