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BF51 SXN

2001 BMW 3 Series

Silver Petrol 2171cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 May 2027
Tests37 (20 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate54.1%

Mileage

179,665 mi
Last recorded179,665 miles
Recorded on5 May 2026
Typical for 2001 BMW 3 Series95,548 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationBF51 SXN
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year2001
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,171cc

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

20 pass 17 fail
Pass 5 May 2026 179,665 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 1 May 2026 179,665 miles

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 24 Apr 2026 179,635 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) worn down to wear indicator (1.1.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Pass 24 Apr 2025 170,341 miles

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

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

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 22 Apr 2025 170,336 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm BOTH (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 24 Apr 2024 158,583 miles

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 24 Apr 2024 158,583 miles

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 25 Apr 2023 147,035 miles

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 19 Apr 2023 146,975 miles

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged and affecting the driver's view of the road (3.2 (a) (ii))

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 14 Apr 2022 137,851 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front brake disc at some point has got hot

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

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

Offside Rear Lower 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))

both outer sills are covered so cannot give a full inpection

engine covers and undertrays are fitted

parking brake only just met the minimum requirements

Fail 12 Apr 2022 137,851 miles

Central Rear Seat belt not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (c))

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front brake disc at some point has got hot

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

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

Offside Rear Lower 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))

both outer sills are covered so cannot give a full inpection

engine covers and undertrays are fitted

parking brake only just met the minimum requirements

Pass 20 Apr 2021 129,629 miles
Fail 14 Apr 2021 129,503 miles

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm both (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Pass 25 Mar 2020 118,990 miles
Fail 24 Mar 2020 118,990 miles

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage damaged and seriously weakened both broken (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle by more than 50% (1.2.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Mudguard insecure ()

Pass 26 Mar 2019 107,874 miles

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 25 Mar 2019 107,874 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 19 Apr 2018 99,381 miles

Rear wiper blade required..

Fail 16 Apr 2018 99,381 miles

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

Nearside Front Outer Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear wiper blade required..

Pass 29 Mar 2017 93,825 miles

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

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

new rear wiper blade required

Fail 28 Mar 2017 93,823 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

new rear wiper blade required

Pass 13 Apr 2016 88,492 miles

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

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

child seat fitted not allowing full examination of adult belt

handbrake just within required specifacation suggest inspection

new rear wiper blade required

Fail 13 Apr 2016 88,492 miles

Registration plate lamp not working both (1.1.C.1d)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

child seat fitted not allowing full examination of adult belt

handbrake just within required specifacation suggest inspection

new rear wiper blade required

Pass 16 Apr 2015 83,888 miles

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

new rear wiper blade required

Fail 2 Apr 2015 83,888 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Steering lock fails to engage (2.1.4b)

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

new rear wiper blade required

Pass 8 Oct 2013 83,133 miles

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Fail 30 Sep 2013 83,133 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (3.6.G.2)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

Pass 21 Sep 2012 75,841 miles
Fail 20 Sep 2012 75,841 miles

Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

brake pad warning light on

Pass 29 Sep 2011 70,086 miles

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

Pass 16 Aug 2010 61,645 miles

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

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

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

uneven tyre wear on front suggest track inspection

Pass 30 Jul 2009 54,003 miles
Pass 28 Aug 2008 49,447 miles

Nail in offside front tyre

Fail 28 Aug 2008 49,444 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Nail in offside front tyre

Pass 4 Sep 2007 41,075 miles
Fail 4 Sep 2007 41,070 miles

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

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

rear brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Pass 31 Aug 2006 35,906 miles

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

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

BF51 SXN is a 2001 BMW 3 Series in Silver with a 2,171cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 37 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.1%.

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 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 BF51 SXN, 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 BF51 SXN?

You can check the full history of BF51 SXN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was BF51 SXN registered?

BF51 SXN is a 2001 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 7 September 2001.

Is BF51 SXN safe to buy?

The MOT history for BF51 SXN shows 37 tests with a 54.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does BF51 SXN 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 BF51 SXN. 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.