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581 BOB

1989 BMW 3 Series

Bronze Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Apr 2027
Tests13 (9 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

Typical for 1989 BMW 3 Series123,356 mi
4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

Registration581 BOB
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1989
ColourBronze
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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

9 pass 4 fail
Pass 8 Apr 2026

Central Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Front Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Subframe mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fuel hose deteriorated (6.1.3 (c) (ii))

Nearside Front Direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Subframe mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 10 Feb 2026

Brake pipe excessively corroded all (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength TOP MOUNT AREA (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Front Subframe mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fuel hose deteriorated (6.1.3 (c) (ii))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Subframe mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 9 Mar 2021 86,055 miles
Pass 17 Aug 2019 98,102 miles
Pass 28 Jun 2014 90,244 miles
Pass 23 Sep 2011 80,152 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

nearside front brake disc worn

nearside steering rack slight play

offside front brake disc worn

Fail 28 Mar 2011 80,151 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated and cannot function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Offside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated and cannot function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

front brake discs worn

nearside steering rack has slight play

Pass 16 Dec 2009 74,226 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Lower Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Nearside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Offside Front Lower Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Offside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Fail 9 Dec 2009 74,225 miles

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Lower Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Nearside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Offside Front Lower Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Offside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Pass 4 Sep 2008 68,341 miles

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

Fail 4 Sep 2008 68,340 miles

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Pass 25 Jun 2007 63,220 miles
Pass 18 May 2006 60,472 miles

Nearside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

brake warning light on

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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581 BOB is a 1989 BMW 3 Series in Bronze with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 13 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 1989 BMW 3 Series models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.9% with a typical mileage of 123,356 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 581 BOB, 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 37 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 581 BOB?

You can check the full history of 581 BOB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was 581 BOB registered?

581 BOB is a 1989 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 24 April 1989.

Is 581 BOB safe to buy?

The MOT history for 581 BOB shows 13 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does 581 BOB 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 581 BOB. 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.