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B29 ABA

1985 BMW 3 Series

Black Petrol 2316cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires3 Aug 2026
Tests25 (14 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate56%

Mileage

68,972 mi
Last recorded68,972 miles
Recorded on16 Jul 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationB29 ABA
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1985
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,316cc

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

14 pass 11 fail
Fail 16 Jul 2026 68,972 miles

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

Nearside Front Upper Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Battery Tray onto Bulkhead Rusting Away. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Central Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded Fuel Pipe On Fuel Tank

Fluid leak, but not excessive Gear Box (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Manifold Leaking Gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 24 Jul 2025 68,972 miles

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

Fail 24 Jul 2025 68,972 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 22 Jul 2024 68,972 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 22 Jul 2024 68,972 miles

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 4 Aug 2023 68,972 miles

Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 19 Jun 2023 68,972 miles

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

Front Sound deadening material insecure bonnet (8.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Undertray insecure wheel arch (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 16 Jun 2022 68,972 miles

Coil spring corroded all four corners of vehicle (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases under bonnet manifold area (6.1.2 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both sides of vehicle link pipes from body to subframe (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides of vehicle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 15 Jun 2022 68,972 miles

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Coil spring corroded all four corners of vehicle (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases under bonnet manifold area (6.1.2 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both sides of vehicle link pipes from body to subframe (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides of vehicle (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Jun 2021 68,863 miles

Coil spring corroded all four corners of vehicle (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases under bonnet area (6.1.2 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule body to axle (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule body to axle (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Pass 23 Jun 2020 68,303 miles

Coil spring corroded all four corners of vehicle (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases engine bay area (6.1.2 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule body to swing arm (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule body to swing arm (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Mar 2019 68,115 miles

Coil spring corroded all four corners of vehicle (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases engine bay area (6.1.2 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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 hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Fail 26 Mar 2019 68,111 miles

Nearside Steering arm deformed to the extent that steering is affected bent (2.1.3 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Steering rack insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings end of gland bushing (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Coil spring corroded all four corners of vehicle (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases engine bay area (6.1.2 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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 hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Pass 16 May 2018 67,783 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Front fog light glass cracked.

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

Offside Rear Inner Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

coil spring corroded all four corners of vehicle. (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 10 May 2018 67,783 miles

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Front fog light glass cracked.

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

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

Offside Rear Inner Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

coil spring corroded all four corners of vehicle. (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 27 Mar 2017 103,644 miles

Nearside Front Inner Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Front fog light glass cracked.

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

Offside Front Inner Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Fail 27 Mar 2017 103,644 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.7.5c)

Nearside Front Inner Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Front fog light glass cracked.

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

Offside Front Inner Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Pass 30 Mar 2016 103,626 miles

Front Both inner rack joints have play

Front Suspension components corroded

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Offside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Rear Suspension components corroded

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Fail 29 Mar 2016 103,626 miles

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Front Both inner rack joints have play

Front Suspension components corroded

Fuel pipes corroded

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

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Offside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Rear Suspension components corroded

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 2 Apr 2015 103,594 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Inner Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 30 Mar 2015 103,593 miles

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Inner Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 24 Oct 2013 103,462 miles

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

driver door mirror cracked

o/s hand brake effort could be improved

Fail 9 Jan 2007 102,824 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

offside outer sill rusting

Pass 9 Jan 2007 102,824 miles

offside outer sill rusting

Pass 25 Jan 2006 101,966 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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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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B29 ABA is a 1985 BMW 3 Series in Black with a 2,316cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56%.

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 B29 ABA, 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 B29 ABA?

You can check the full history of B29 ABA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B29 ABA registered?

B29 ABA is a 1985 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 31 December 1985.

Is B29 ABA safe to buy?

The MOT history for B29 ABA shows 25 tests with a 56% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B29 ABA 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 B29 ABA. 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.