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B17 SFB

2001 BMW 3 Series

Blue Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Mar 2027
Tests50 (37 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate74%

Mileage

249,318 mi
Last recorded249,318 miles
Recorded on17 Mar 2026
Typical for 2001 BMW 3 Series95,548 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationB17 SFB
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year2001
ColourBlue
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

37 pass 13 fail
Pass 17 Mar 2026 249,318 miles

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

Fail 6 Mar 2026 249,305 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 10 Nov 2025 81,253 miles

Nearside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Pass 24 Feb 2025 243,470 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Pass 19 Nov 2024 75,862 miles
Fail 19 Nov 2024 75,858 miles

Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Pass 14 Mar 2024 238,247 miles

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

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

Fail 12 Mar 2024 238,247 miles

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Inner sill and jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 7 Nov 2023 69,800 miles

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

Pass 27 Feb 2023 231,971 miles

Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Outer Sill corroded

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

Pass 14 Nov 2022 64,386 miles
Pass 16 Feb 2022 226,162 miles

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

Offside Outer sill corroded

Offside Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Nov 2021 61,554 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 22 Feb 2021 222,687 miles

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

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive Differential has misting of oil (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Nov 2020 60,223 miles
Pass 11 Feb 2020 220,090 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Fail 3 Feb 2020 220,090 miles

Central Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Pass 1 Nov 2019 59,045 miles
Pass 12 Feb 2019 212,766 miles

All coil springs corroded.

Both rear outer wheel arches corroded.

Corrosion offside front outer door sill.

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

Nearside Rear inner sill slightly corroded.

Offside Front inner sill slight corrosion.

Offside Rear inner sill slightly corroded.

Offside Rear tyre wear.

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

Slight corrosion both rear spring pan mounting points.

Pass 17 Oct 2018 55,795 miles

advise both front shock absorber dust covers split

Pass 6 Feb 2018 202,644 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Inner sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush Rear bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Inner sill (2.4.A.3)

Fail 6 Feb 2018 202,644 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Inner sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush Rear bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Inner sill (2.4.A.3)

Pass 20 Oct 2017 54,475 miles
Pass 10 Feb 2017 193,970 miles

Both rear inner sills have slight corrosion

Offside outer sill has slight corrosion but sill covers fitted to both sides preventing full inspection

Fail 10 Feb 2017 193,970 miles

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

Both rear inner sills have slight corrosion

Front brake discs worn

Offside outer sill has slight corrosion but sill covers fitted to both sides preventing full inspection

Pass 2 Nov 2016 51,763 miles
Pass 3 Mar 2016 182,495 miles

Slight corrosion to offside rear sill

Slight corrosion to rear brake pads

Pass 3 Nov 2015 48,473 miles

both front tyre treads low on edges

Pass 2 Mar 2015 169,690 miles

Both front suspension arm main bushes have slight wear/movement

Both rear coil springs corroded

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

Front brake discs moderately worn

Fail 2 Mar 2015 169,690 miles

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Both front suspension arm main bushes have slight wear/movement

Both rear coil springs corroded

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

Front brake discs moderately worn

Fail 19 Nov 2014 44,601 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 19 Nov 2014 44,601 miles
Pass 14 Mar 2014 156,494 miles

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

Fail 12 Mar 2014 156,494 miles

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

Pass 29 Nov 2013 38,489 miles
Pass 12 Mar 2013 142,785 miles

Front window screen pitted.

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Pass 11 Dec 2012 33,916 miles
Pass 16 Mar 2012 129,944 miles

Both rear arm bushes perished.

Front pipe exhaust corroded.

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

Fail 16 Mar 2012 129,944 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Both rear arm bushes perished.

Front pipe exhaust corroded.

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

Pass 8 Dec 2011 24,372 miles
Pass 14 Mar 2011 116,029 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 Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

nearside front brake hose perished

Fail 14 Mar 2011 116,029 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 Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

nearside front brake hose perished

Pass 8 Dec 2010 15,262 miles
Pass 19 Mar 2010 104,617 miles
Fail 1 Apr 2009 94,278 miles

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

Pass 1 Apr 2009 94,278 miles
Pass 9 Apr 2008 86,461 miles
Pass 3 Apr 2007 80,120 miles

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 30 Mar 2006 81,713 miles
Fail 30 Mar 2006 81,713 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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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B17 SFB is a 2001 BMW 3 Series in Blue with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 50 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74%.

Across all 2001 BMW 3 Series models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.8% with a typical mileage of 95,548 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 B17 SFB, 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 25 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 B17 SFB?

You can check the full history of B17 SFB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B17 SFB registered?

B17 SFB is a 2001 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 15 March 2001.

Is B17 SFB safe to buy?

The MOT history for B17 SFB shows 50 tests with a 74% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B17 SFB 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 B17 SFB. 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.