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C20 ELL

1985 BMW 3 Series

Blue Petrol 1766cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires12 Feb 2024
Tests16 (7 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate43.8%

Mileage

145,546 mi
Last recorded145,546 miles
Recorded on24 May 2024
Typical for 1985 BMW 3 Series102,156 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC20 ELL
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1985
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,766cc

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

7 pass 9 fail
Fail 24 May 2024 145,546 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Pass 13 Feb 2023 144,846 miles

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

Fail 9 Feb 2023 144,815 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Fail 14 May 2020 144,814 miles

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

Nearside Body has an unsafe modification floor corroded (6.2.1 (d) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

all over general corrosion

Fail 16 Dec 2014 144,811 miles

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Nearside Front Body has a projection caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Body has a projection caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Nearside Rear Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Front Body has a projection caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

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

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

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

Offside Front Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

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

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

Fail 3 Jun 2014 144,807 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

Brake pipes covered in grease unable to check

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

Nearside front tyre slightly cut

Fail 15 Apr 2014 144,769 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

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

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 15 Nov 2012 142,778 miles

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

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

Fail 15 Nov 2012 142,778 miles

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Pass 12 May 2011 142,003 miles
Pass 2 Sep 2009 141,749 miles
Fail 2 Sep 2009 141,749 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

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

Pass 4 Sep 2008 140,631 miles
Fail 3 Sep 2008 140,631 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Pass 10 Aug 2007 139,153 miles
Pass 12 Jul 2006 138,854 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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C20 ELL is a 1985 BMW 3 Series in Blue with a 1,766cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 16 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 43.8%.

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 C20 ELL, 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 C20 ELL?

You can check the full history of C20 ELL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C20 ELL registered?

C20 ELL is a 1985 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 1 August 1985.

Is C20 ELL safe to buy?

The MOT history for C20 ELL shows 16 tests with a 43.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C20 ELL 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 C20 ELL. 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.