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B3 SBF

1997 BMW Alpina

Blue Petrol 2979cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires22 Jun 2026
Tests23 (18 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate78.3%

Mileage

97,407 mi
Last recorded97,407 miles
Recorded on23 Jun 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW Alpina110,966 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

RegistrationB3 SBF
MakeBMW
ModelAlpina
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,979cc

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

18 pass 5 fail
Pass 23 Jun 2025 97,407 miles

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted outer rim (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

outer sill covers fitted not allowing insection

Pass 7 Jun 2024 97,356 miles

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component Steering rack (2.1.5 (a))

Windscreen wiper blade defective Both front wipers slightly smearing (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 12 Jun 2023 97,314 miles

unable to fully inspect brake pads

Pass 14 Jun 2022 97,258 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2021 97,171 miles
Pass 22 Aug 2019 97,144 miles
Fail 21 Aug 2019 97,134 miles

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

Pass 21 Aug 2018 96,633 miles
Pass 23 Aug 2017 96,394 miles
Pass 9 Jun 2016 95,150 miles

exhaust system has loose baffles and is rattling

nearside rear tyre wearing thin

offside front brake pipe slightly corroded

Fail 30 Sep 2014 94,413 miles

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 30 Sep 2014 94,413 miles

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

Pass 3 Oct 2013 86,656 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2012 79,550 miles

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

both front tyres perished on tread

exhaust rattling

Pass 4 Oct 2011 73,555 miles

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

N/S/R Tyre inner sidewall damaged (run on soft/flat) Both front Tyres are worn to excess on the inner edges.

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

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 22 Sep 2010 68,078 miles

front discs slighty rusty and liped

front wipers slighty smearing

slight play in both front bottom ball joints

Fail 22 Sep 2010 68,078 miles

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

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

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

front discs slighty rusty and liped

front wipers slighty smearing

slight play in both front bottom ball joints

Pass 29 Sep 2009 62,339 miles
Pass 8 Oct 2008 60,650 miles
Fail 1 Oct 2008 60,633 miles

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

Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Pass 12 Sep 2007 56,681 miles

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

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

Pass 30 May 2006 50,011 miles
Fail 30 May 2006 49,973 miles

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

How Reliable is the BMW Alpina?

Based on 29,169 MOT tests across 2,395 vehicles.

82.0%
Pass Rate
4,292
Miles/Year
31
Year Lifespan
2,395
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 568
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 270
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 269
Brake pipe excessively corroded 254
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 226
Full BMW Alpina reliability report

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B3 SBF is a 1997 BMW Alpina in Blue with a 2,979cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 78.3%.

Across all 1997 BMW Alpina models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.2% with a typical mileage of 110,966 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW Alpina fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 568 recorded failures. If you're considering buying B3 SBF, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW Alpina typically stays on UK roads for around 31 years. At 29 years old, this BMW Alpina is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of B3 SBF?

You can check the full history of B3 SBF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B3 SBF registered?

B3 SBF is a 1997 BMW Alpina, first registered on 12 June 1997.

Is B3 SBF safe to buy?

The MOT history for B3 SBF shows 23 tests with a 78.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B3 SBF 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 B3 SBF. 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.