CarVerify

Free Car Check

ADB 1A

1985 BMW 3 Series

Blue Petrol 1990cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 May 2027
Tests23 (13 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate56.5%

Mileage

93,741 mi
Last recorded93,741 miles
Recorded on5 May 2026
Typical for 1985 BMW 3 Series102,156 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationADB 1A
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1985
ColourBlue
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

13 pass 10 fail
Pass 5 May 2026 93,741 miles

Front both brake discs corroded

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorber corroded but not seriously weakened

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Offside Front Shock absorber corroded but not seriously weakened

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt both seats ()

Pass 24 Sep 2020 93,712 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 19 Sep 2020 93,712 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end seriously misaligned (2.1.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end seriously misaligned (2.1.3 (e))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Sep 2019 93,301 miles
Fail 30 Sep 2019 93,301 miles

Headlamp aim too low both (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 4 Oct 2018 92,759 miles

slight corrosion to osr inner arch lower panel

Fail 2 Oct 2018 92,749 miles

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

slight corrosion to osr inner arch lower panel

Pass 2 Oct 2017 92,551 miles

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion Inner wheel arch (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion Inner wheel arch (6.1.B.2)

Fail 2 Oct 2017 92,551 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion Inner wheel arch (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion Inner wheel arch (6.1.B.2)

Pass 4 Oct 2016 92,199 miles

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Fail 27 Sep 2016 92,192 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 3 Sep 2015 89,917 miles
Fail 3 Sep 2015 89,917 miles

Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 1 Oct 2014 86,879 miles
Pass 27 May 2011 86,828 miles
Fail 26 May 2011 86,786 miles

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

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

Nearside Steering rack gaiter insecure (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Suspension joint offside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 15 Dec 2009 77,330 miles
Fail 8 Dec 2009 77,320 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 25 Jun 2008 77,102 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 24 Jun 2008 77,102 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter insecure (2.2.D.2d)

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 19 Jun 2008 77,025 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

both rear shock top bushes are split

n/s/f tyre is worn low on the edge

Pass 19 Jun 2007 74,072 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 7 Jun 2006 72,249 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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

ADB 1A is a 1985 BMW 3 Series in Blue with a 1,990cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.5%.

Across all 1985 BMW 3 Series models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.7% with a typical mileage of 102,156 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 ADB 1A, 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 41 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 ADB 1A?

You can check the full history of ADB 1A by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was ADB 1A registered?

ADB 1A is a 1985 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 28 August 1985.

Is ADB 1A safe to buy?

The MOT history for ADB 1A shows 23 tests with a 56.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does ADB 1A 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 ADB 1A. 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.