1998 BMW 5 Series 2.8L Petrol · R292 BKE
1998 BMW 5 Series (2.8L, petrol). First registered 21 May 1998. Recorded mileage 101,026 miles. MOT expired on 12 May 2026. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- BMW 5 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 12 May 2026
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 101,026 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.
R292 BKE Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 14/05/2025
- 3 historical MOT failures
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R292 BKE 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 (R292 BKE) between February 2024 and May 2025.
The record contains 2 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 14 May 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 3 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (9 issues), Tyres (5 issues), Steering (2 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 8 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: “Offside Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))”; “Nearside Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))”; “Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))”.
R292 BKE Mileage History
- 02/02/202495,273 mi
- 14/02/202495,287 mi+14 mi
- 01/03/2025101,026 mi+5,739 mi
Average of roughly 5,349 miles per year across 3 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: 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 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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