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222 XSE

1997 BMW 3 Series

Silver Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Oct 2026
Tests26 (19 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate73.1%

Mileage

155,485 mi
Last recorded155,485 miles
Recorded on6 Oct 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW 3 Series110,506 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

Registration222 XSE
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1997
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,494cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

19 pass 7 fail
Pass 6 Oct 2025 155,485 miles

Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

underbody corrosion (rear suspension components)

Fail 18 Sep 2025 155,460 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear in front of the join (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Inner Halfshaft securing bolt loose (6.1.7 (a) (i))

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear in front of the join (1.1.11 (c))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Fluid leak, but not excessive power steering pipes / rack (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly twisted (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge and perished (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 20 Sep 2024 146,034 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Oct 2022 139,069 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security inner sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 19 Oct 2021 132,602 miles
Pass 20 Oct 2020 126,042 miles
Pass 21 Oct 2019 117,637 miles
Pass 22 Oct 2018 108,351 miles

Nearside Front Brake flexi hose slightly twisted

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material To flexi (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 19 Oct 2018 108,294 miles

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Brake flexi hose slightly twisted

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material To flexi (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 19 Oct 2017 98,611 miles

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Jacking point (2.4.A.3)

Pass 21 Oct 2016 97,496 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Rear Outer Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Shock absorb-er has minimum damping effect

Fail 19 Oct 2016 97,496 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Inner Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside Rear Inner Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Rear Outer Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Shock absorb-er has minimum damping effect

Pass 7 Oct 2015 96,747 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded x2 front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 14 Oct 2014 93,980 miles
Fail 13 Oct 2014 93,980 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 25 Sep 2013 91,060 miles
Pass 10 Oct 2012 88,181 miles
Fail 10 Oct 2012 88,181 miles

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Pass 6 Oct 2011 85,101 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Fail 5 Oct 2011 85,101 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 4 Oct 2010 82,364 miles
Pass 23 Sep 2009 78,427 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 8 Oct 2008 73,505 miles
Pass 17 Oct 2007 68,613 miles
Pass 23 Oct 2006 64,698 miles
Fail 23 Oct 2006 64,698 miles

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

How Reliable is the BMW 3 Series?

Based on 12,840,406 MOT tests across 1,004,285 vehicles.

75.1%
Pass Rate
6,672
Miles/Year
37
Year Lifespan
1,004,285
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 485,475
Brake pipe excessively corroded 323,327
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 253,205
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 185,099
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 182,360
Full BMW 3 Series reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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222 XSE is a 1997 BMW 3 Series in Silver with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.1%.

Across all 1997 BMW 3 Series models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.5% with a typical mileage of 110,506 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW 3 Series fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 485,475 recorded failures. If you're considering buying 222 XSE, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 3 Series typically stays on UK roads for around 37 years. At 29 years old, this BMW 3 Series is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of 222 XSE?

You can check the full history of 222 XSE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was 222 XSE registered?

222 XSE is a 1997 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 2 October 1997.

Is 222 XSE safe to buy?

The MOT history for 222 XSE shows 26 tests with a 73.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does 222 XSE have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on 222 XSE. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.