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Curated Auction

1976 BMW 1502

At a Glance

Well-Presented Throughout | New Paint in 2025 | A Rare, Late-Production Iteration | Original and Solid Presentation | Keen Reserve

  • Mileage~68,395 on the clock
  • Transmission4-Speed Manual
  • Engine1.6-litre
  • LocationAscot

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below – we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report – learn more

Curated Auction

We’ve visited this car, taken the images and written the description below – we’ve also verified the seller’s ID and actioned a HPi report – learn more

CURATED AUCTION

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CURRENT BID£2,500
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AUCTION LIVE

ENDS IN: 56 Days 12 Hr 51 Min 51 Sec

CURRENT BID

£2,500

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Video #2

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy
Editor and Photographer

The BMW 1502 offers charm, agile handling, and accessible vintage driving purity.

Produced from 1968 to 1976 as part of the '02 Series, this iconic compact coupe is credited with saving BMW financially and laying the foundation for the modern sports sedan. Its inception was almost accidental: BMW’s Director of Product Planning and an engine designer independently installed larger engines into their personal compact models, realising the immense potential of pairing a punchy motor with a lightweight, two-door chassis. From an engineering perspective, the car was ahead of its time, featuring a legendary overhead-cam four-cylinder engine, all-independent suspension with front MacPherson struts, and front disc brakes.

Built with exceptional German precision, these cars combined robust mechanical reliability, utilitarian interiors, and solid structural integrity that punched far above their price point. Featuring classic styling and modest power, they delivered brilliant, go-kart-like handling that let you wring the motor out to the redline all day without ever breaking the speed limit.

Positioned alongside the early E21 3 Series as the gateway to BMW’s range, the 1502 paired an economy-tuned 1.6-litre engine with classic charm to serve as the fitting swan song for the legendary ’02 Series. Combining proven engineering with distinctive 1960s character, this eye-catching 1976 example is finished in Reseda Green Metallic over a tan vinyl and cloth interior. Fresh from a 2025 respray, it has been well-maintained and drives beautifully.

The car comes complete with recent invoices, a current V5, two keys, and qualifies for historic road tax and MOT exemption.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Mo the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Video #2

Meet the owner

It's a remarkably fun and highly rewarding drivers' car!

Mo purchased the vehicle from a private seller in Uxbridge back in May, adding to his history of enjoying modern German classics.

Drawn to its solid and well-preserved original appearance, he acquired the car to use for occasional weekend drives. However, due to a change in circumstances and limited use, he has reluctantly decided it is time to find it a new home.

Mo will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Mo
Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER
EXTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Exterior

Fresh paintwork and solid structural integrity give this example a pleasing presentation.

Wheels and Tyres

The car is fitted with BMW 2002 Cromodora 13” alloy wheels. They retain a smart appearance, with mild signs of age in places but free of road wear.

The front and rear of the car are fitted with Farroad tyres with a spec of 175/70 - these are date-coded from 2024 and have plenty of life in them.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

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Bodywork

The bodywork is in good condition, free from any significant panel damage, and displays even shut lines with flush panel fitment. All doors open and close smoothly.

The underside is solid throughout and has been protected with underseal. There are minor signs of age around the nearside jacking points and slight residue around the boot-mounted fuel tank. Overall, the suspension mounts, wheel arches, and engine bay all present very well.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

image

Paint

Repainted in 2025, the sparkling Reseda Green Metallic paintwork displays a good lustre and consistent coverage, beautifully highlighting the crisp lines of the ’02.

The finish holds a strong shine throughout, though a few minor under-paint blemishes were noted, most visibly at the top of the nearside C-pillar and a couple of light blisters on the base of the passenger door.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

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Glass and Trim

The glass and weather seals are in good condition throughout, as are the lights and lenses. The brightwork and trim appear correct for the model; however, the emblems and iconic kidney grille show some age-related wear, and there are mild paint chips on the driver’s door trim.

The bumpers present well overall, showing only light surface wear, though the front bumper is slightly misaligned.

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INTERIOR VIDEO
Video #2

Interior

Minimalist, functional, and exceptionally well preserved.

Seats and Carpets

The tan vinyl and cloth seats are in good condition, with only a small rip noted on the passenger seat.

The carpets present well, above expectations for a car of this era.

Additionally, the boot area is neatly trimmed and tidy.

image

Dashboard

The black padded dashboard and centre console are good for the car's age, showing only a small crack near the instrument binnacle and a mild circular stain on the passenger side. All switches and controls remain in good condition and are reported to function properly.

The door cards and headlining are in solid shape; while there are a few light marks on the rear trim panels and passenger sun visor, the overall interior reflects careful past ownership.

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Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The gear lever presents well, while the steering wheel shows a few age-related hairline cracks.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO
Video #2

Mechanics

The BMW 1502 delivers smooth, delightfully nimble, pure vintage engagement.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine turns over smoothly and fires up without issue, exhibiting only a brief belt squeal for the first second before settling into a steady idle. The motor runs quietly without any excessive mechanical noise, and all ignition warning lights extinguish as they should. There were no unwanted exhaust fumes beyond typical cold-engine condensation, and the car remained completely leak-free throughout our visit.

The engine compartment presents very well, featuring good hoses and ancillaries throughout. While a few components show light signs of age, the overall impression is of a well-maintained vehicle.

The 4-speed manual transmission performs without any reported issues, delivering smooth shifts free from any unwanted noise while underway.

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Suspension and Brakes

The ride feels appropriately firm yet compliant, absorbing minor road imperfections smoothly and remaining free of any unwanted wheel noise at speed.

Braking is even and confidence-inspiring, with a solid pedal feel and no screeching or grinding, delivering performance just as you would expect from a BMW of this era.

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The Drive

Introduced during the fuel crisis as BMW’s economy model, it shares the dynamic driving characteristics of the 2002 while utilising an efficient 1.6-litre M10 engine.

Power delivery is linear and smooth, pulling cleanly without flat spots, hesitations, or misfires from the Solex carburettor. The car cruises comfortably at 40 mph and performs confidently on the open road. Steering is precise with excellent road feel, especially at speed, and the chassis feels well-planted with impressive grip.

While there is typical vintage body roll, the new tyres help minimise age-related traits, and it corners quietly without any knocks. Mo reports the car has been completely reliable, with steady oil pressure and normal engine temperatures throughout ownership.

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Electrics and Other

The car has been upgraded with a modern head unit featuring USB, MP3, CD, and FM radio playback.

As mentioned in the video, the air ventilation system is not currently working. This has not been investigated, so the cause is unknown and may relate to the switch, fuse, motor or another component.

The seller has also advised that they are unsure whether the cigarette lighter is working, as they have never used it.

The dashboard and displays are otherwise reported to be functioning correctly, with no engine warning light showing. The oil temperature and oil pressure have also never presented any known issues.

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Video #2

History and Paperwork

Fresh from a 2025 respray, it has seen recent cosmetic and mechanical renovation too.

Registered in August 1976, this vehicle was acquired by the current owner in May from a former engineer who meticulously maintained it, backed by receipts from Jaymic and BMW main dealers. Having recently undergone cosmetic and mechanical renovation, it also comes complete with invoices for a full respray in 2025. The car is both historic road tax and MOT exempt and comes complete with two sets of keys.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
03-05-2025 MOT 67,973
07-01-2017 MOT 67,600
19-07-2012 MOT 67,337
13-03-2008 MOT 60,968
14-03-2007 MOT 53,887
16-12-2005 MOT 50,320
VIEW ALL
Key Details
  • Model 1502
  • Transmission 4-Speed Manual
  • Reg. Date 24-08-1976
  • CC 1573
  • Mileage ~68,395 on clock
  • History Since 2025
  • Colour Reseda Green Metallic
  • Interior Colour Tan
  • Interior Trim Cloth/Vinyl
  • Chassis # 3810664
  • Restored Paint in 2025
  • MOT Expired 02-05-2026
  • MOT Exempt Yes
  • Road Tax Exempt Yes
  • HPi Clear Yes - All Clear
  • Former Keepers 7
  • Tyre Brand Farroad
  • Tyre Age 2024
  • # of Keys 2
  • LHD or RHD RHD
  • Visited Yes
  • Sale Type Private
  • Key Feature Very Original 1502
  • Vehicle Registration RGE 706R
  • Driver’s Side Right
  • Fuel Type Petrol
  • Body Type 2 door Coupe
  • Auction ID 3952
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VIEW ALL
Video #2

All Images

Exterior

Interior

Mechanics

History and Paperwork

All Videos



Vehicle Location

Ascot

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    Auction Bidding

    Live Bidding
    Current Bid £2,500
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    1976 BMW 1502
    AUCTION STATUS RESERVE NOT MET
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    Auction Ends Thu 17th Sep at 7.40pm
    Bidding History
    Previous Bids  1
    £2,500 bid by Riverford36903.09.26 @ 12:27:53
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    Ask Owner
    Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.
    3 Comments
    RossoCorsa
    RossoCorsa
    1 day ago

    You are welcome. I have owned a 3 series BMW in Reseda green and remembered it as a light green metallic.

    RossoCorsa
    RossoCorsa
    1 day ago

    Good day,

    Are you sure the colour is Reseda green ?

    thanks

    Ayadoh
    Ayadoh
    Seller
      RossoCorsa
    1 day ago

    You’re right, that looks like an error in the description. This is Taiga Green. Thank you for pointing that out

    MORE COMMENTS MORE COMMENTS

    Insurance Quote


    Average annual insurance premium for a BMW like this is £TBC via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
    GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.

    *Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Summer 2026.

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    Vehicle Location

    Ascot

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