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88 ECX

1988 BMW 3 Series

Black Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires11 Feb 2022
Tests27 (15 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

169,828 mi
Last recorded169,828 miles
Recorded on2 Apr 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
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Vehicle Details

Registration88 ECX
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1988
ColourBlack
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

15 pass 12 fail
Fail 2 Apr 2025 169,828 miles

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Inner wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Damage to tread/possible catching wheel arch (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Handbrake low effort

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Windscreen has sticker on it not significantly obstructing drivers view of the road

Pass 12 Feb 2021 169,711 miles

Both front tyres down to 3mm

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

Exhaust rear box front hanger not attached but exhaust still secure

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear diff showing signs of slight leak

Rubber prop doughnut perishing

Fail 8 Feb 2021 169,711 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (d))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Both front tyres down to 3mm

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

Exhaust rear box front hanger not attached but exhaust still secure

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear diff showing signs of slight leak

Rubber prop doughnut perishing

Pass 25 Jan 2020 167,988 miles

Coolant leak ()

Nearside Front Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 8 Feb 2019 164,498 miles

Nearside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge near limit (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated inner (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge near limit (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both sides (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 2 Feb 2019 164,498 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

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

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

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Nearside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge near limit (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated inner (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge near limit (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both sides (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 5 Feb 2018 149,514 miles

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

Fail 5 Feb 2018 149,514 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

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

Fail 13 Jan 2018 149,489 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Rear Inner Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill area (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure s/wall (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (5.2.6)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

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)

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

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

Pass 20 Jan 2017 134,751 miles
Fail 9 Jan 2017 134,751 miles

Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Side repeater missing (1.4.A.2b)

Offside Side repeater missing (1.4.A.2b)

Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 16 Oct 2015 177,459 miles

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

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

Fail 5 Oct 2015 177,456 miles

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 10 Sep 2014 170,876 miles
Pass 17 Apr 2013 169,549 miles
Fail 17 Apr 2013 169,549 miles

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

Pass 24 Apr 2012 166,727 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 24 Apr 2012 166,727 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 27 Apr 2011 164,172 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 9 Jun 2010 162,609 miles
Fail 9 Jun 2010 162,609 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Pass 4 Jun 2009 160,016 miles
Fail 4 Jun 2009 160,016 miles

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Rear registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

Pass 1 May 2008 157,247 miles
Pass 4 May 2007 154,701 miles
Pass 3 May 2006 152,020 miles

oil leak

Fail 3 May 2006 152,020 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

oil leak

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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88 ECX is a 1988 BMW 3 Series in Black with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

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 a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

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 88 ECX, 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 88 ECX?

You can check the full history of 88 ECX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was 88 ECX registered?

88 ECX is a 1988 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 2 August 1988.

Is 88 ECX safe to buy?

The MOT history for 88 ECX shows 27 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does 88 ECX 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 88 ECX. 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.