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A23 MPH

1997 BMW 3 Series

Green Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Aug 2026
Tests24 (16 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

121,949 mi
Last recorded121,949 miles
Recorded on13 Aug 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW 3 Series110,506 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationA23 MPH
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

16 pass 8 fail
Pass 13 Aug 2025 121,949 miles
Fail 11 Aug 2025 121,949 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))

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

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Jul 2024 119,838 miles

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

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

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

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

underside general corrosion

Pass 16 Aug 2023 118,269 miles

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

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

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

underside undersealed

Fail 8 Aug 2023 118,266 miles

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

underside undersealed

Pass 17 Aug 2022 115,939 miles

Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced both jacking points (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 17 Aug 2022 115,939 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced both jacking points (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 30 Jul 2019 113,790 miles

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

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

Pass 4 May 2017 112,630 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Both bump stop deteriorated/ damper gaiters insecure.

Fail 26 Apr 2017 112,504 miles

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

Offside Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2)

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Both bump stop deteriorated/ damper gaiters insecure.

Pass 6 Apr 2016 96,052 miles

Front bracket deteriorated, system adequately supported.

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement inner rear bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 23 Mar 2016 95,592 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed joint reservoir hose clip (2.3.3b)

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

Front bracket deteriorated, system adequately supported.

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement inner rear bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 20 Mar 2015 81,906 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Fail 7 Mar 2015 81,906 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Mar 2014 77,858 miles
Fail 15 Mar 2014 77,858 miles

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

Pass 14 Mar 2013 68,421 miles
Fail 11 Mar 2013 68,362 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage severely distorted (2.4.G.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 18 May 2011 64,798 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 10 Jun 2010 62,582 miles
Pass 19 Mar 2009 60,142 miles
Pass 7 Apr 2008 58,300 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Pass 17 Mar 2007 55,533 miles
Pass 11 Mar 2006 46,428 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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A23 MPH is a 1997 BMW 3 Series in Green with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 A23 MPH, 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 A23 MPH?

You can check the full history of A23 MPH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A23 MPH registered?

A23 MPH is a 1997 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 21 November 1997.

Is A23 MPH safe to buy?

The MOT history for A23 MPH shows 24 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A23 MPH 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 A23 MPH. 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.