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C16 MSW

1996 BMW 3 Series

Green Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires26 May 2026
Tests23 (12 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate52.2%

Mileage

98,125 mi
Last recorded98,125 miles
Recorded on27 May 2025
Typical for 1996 BMW 3 Series112,776 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

RegistrationC16 MSW
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1996
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,991cc

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

12 pass 11 fail
Pass 27 May 2025 98,125 miles

Driver's door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

Fail 20 May 2025 98,104 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Driver's door catch deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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

Fail 28 Apr 2025 98,049 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 26 Apr 2024 96,420 miles

Coolant leak ()

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

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

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

Fail 24 Jan 2024 96,404 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (1.6 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the right (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Nearside door stiff to open and close

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

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

Offside door stiff to open and close

Pass 16 Mar 2022 93,818 miles

Coolant leak has leak from top housing advise repair ()

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view has creeping crack close to fail zone a (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Front n/s front door stiff to open does open and shut secure

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing side wall perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

fuel cap seal slightly perished

has slight pattern distortion has condensation in lights n/s and o/s

o/s inside door trim missing

o/s rear shockabsorber dust tube missing

Fail 16 Mar 2022 93,806 miles

Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Rear fog lamp switch not operating in accordance with the requirements wont turn on faulty switch (4.5.3 (a))

Coolant leak has leak from top housing advise repair ()

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view has creeping crack close to fail zone a (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing side wall perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

fuel cap seal slightly perished

has slight pattern distortion has condensation in lights n/s and o/s

o/s inside door trim missing

o/s rear shockabsorber dust tube missing

Pass 15 Jul 2016 91,258 miles

n/s rear shocker cover loose

Fail 11 Jul 2016 91,254 miles

Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush drop links (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

n/s rear shocker cover loose

Pass 24 Jun 2015 90,614 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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

Pass 12 Sep 2013 87,144 miles
Fail 24 May 2013 87,128 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

damaged to windscreen n/s

Pass 5 Apr 2012 86,479 miles

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

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

spare tyre on legal limit

Fail 2 Apr 2012 86,463 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

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

spare tyre on legal limit

Pass 27 Apr 2011 84,019 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2010 76,732 miles
Fail 20 Apr 2010 76,641 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 3 Apr 2009 71,132 miles

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

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

Fail 1 Apr 2009 71,132 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Pass 30 Apr 2008 67,316 miles
Fail 29 Apr 2008 67,316 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Pass 29 Mar 2007 63,652 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2007 63,652 miles

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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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C16 MSW is a 1996 BMW 3 Series in Green with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52.2%.

Across all 1996 BMW 3 Series models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.6% with a typical mileage of 112,776 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 C16 MSW, 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 30 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 C16 MSW?

You can check the full history of C16 MSW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C16 MSW registered?

C16 MSW is a 1996 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 25 October 1996.

Is C16 MSW safe to buy?

The MOT history for C16 MSW shows 23 tests with a 52.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C16 MSW 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 C16 MSW. 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.