1998 BMW 5 Series 2.8L Petrol · R285 OSL
1998 BMW 5 Series (2.8L, petrol). First registered 20 Feb 1998. Recorded mileage 187,566 miles. MOT expired on 27 Jan 2023.
- Make & Model
- BMW 5 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 27 Jan 2023
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 187,566 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.
R285 OSL Key Findings
- 1 MOT test recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 28/01/2022
- 187,566 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R285 OSL MOT History
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 1998 BMW 5 Series (R285 OSL) between January 2022 and January 2022.
The record contains 1 pass and 0 failures.
The record shows no MOT failures, although 0 advisory notices note items to monitor.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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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: 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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