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27 AY

1988 BMW 3 Series

Red Petrol 1990cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Aug 2026
Tests18 (14 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate77.8%

Mileage

169,196 mi
Last recorded169,196 miles
Recorded on4 Aug 2025
Typical for 1988 BMW 3 Series118,461 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

Registration27 AY
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1988
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,990cc

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

14 pass 4 fail
Pass 4 Aug 2025 169,196 miles
Pass 15 Jul 2024 168,670 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule front to rear all (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear both sides (1.1.11 (c))

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) both sides ()

sign of repair covered in thick black substance both sills and rear bumper inner

underbody and suspension components has surface rust both sides

Fail 5 Apr 2023 168,656 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested Brake fluid leaks . (1.2.1 (g))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated Perished and split to cords . (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake valve leaking On inner chassis leg . (1.1.7 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Obligatory mirror does not provide a view to the rear (3.3 (c))

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Holed . (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired Repair around suspension arm mounting and into floor pan and inner sill is not seam welded . (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play Excessive play when in running position . (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Sill corroded and holed . (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inner sill corroded and holed . (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Brake master cylinder leaking End of casting is leaking . (1.1.10 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j)) DANGEROUS

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Central Mirror missing .

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Damaged . (0.1 (b))

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Front Windscreen securing trim is missing !

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Corroded . (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Inner wing corroded and holed . (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Seat back has movement which should not be there within frame but unable to fully assess due to seat covering .

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Chassis leg by bottom arm mounting is corroded . (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess Cable outer broken . (1.1.15 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported Above fuel tank . (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported On trailing arm . (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill corroded heavily . (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Heavily perished on inner sidewall . (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Bonnet stay broken .

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated Heavily perished . (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Inner wheel arch at front corroded and holed . (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal Rear of inner arch and chassis leg behind bottom arm has filler covering repairs . (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess Cable outer broken . (1.1.15 (a))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

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

Outer Sill covers fitted both sides and unable to inspect sills fully for corrosion .

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Both sides . ()

Rear Parking brake cables are secured to anti roll bar linkages .

Pass 5 Nov 2021 167,777 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 5 Nov 2021 167,777 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (5.2.3 (i))

Pass 6 Nov 2020 166,668 miles
Pass 11 Nov 2019 165,673 miles
Fail 25 Aug 2018 165,659 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases centre silencer (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Floor excessively deteriorated by main chassis (6.2.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 5 Sep 2017 164,700 miles

Offside Front Lower Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 5 Sep 2016 163,495 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 1 Sep 2015 161,974 miles

corrosion begining to show on chassis to front of vehicle

corrosion under nearside front wheel-arch

corrosion under offside rear wheel-arch

front & rear metal brake pipes corroded but not likely to fail

handbrake lever slightly high

Pass 29 Aug 2014 157,895 miles
Fail 29 Aug 2014 157,895 miles

Offside Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 5 Sep 2013 156,628 miles
Pass 21 Mar 2011 156,529 miles
Pass 10 Apr 2010 154,815 miles
Pass 12 Feb 2009 152,841 miles
Pass 19 Feb 2008 151,997 miles

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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27 AY is a 1988 BMW 3 Series in Red with a 1,990cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 77.8%.

Across all 1988 BMW 3 Series models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.1% with a typical mileage of 118,461 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 27 AY, 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 38 years old, this BMW 3 Series is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of 27 AY?

You can check the full history of 27 AY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was 27 AY registered?

27 AY is a 1988 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 6 April 1988.

Is 27 AY safe to buy?

The MOT history for 27 AY shows 18 tests with a 77.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does 27 AY 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 27 AY. 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.