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E243 SOP

1987 BMW 316

Grey Petrol 1766cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires15 Jul 2026
Tests29 (17 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate58.6%

Mileage

178,060 mi
Last recorded178,060 miles
Recorded on16 Jul 2025
Typical for 1987 BMW 316106,510 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

RegistrationE243 SOP
MakeBMW
Model316
Year1987
ColourGrey
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

17 pass 12 fail
Pass 16 Jul 2025 178,060 miles
Pass 9 Jul 2024 176,408 miles
Pass 5 Sep 2019 173,848 miles

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

under seals corroded

Fail 5 Sep 2019 173,846 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

under seals corroded

Pass 15 Aug 2018 172,563 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame 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))

Fail 15 Aug 2018 172,561 miles

Emissions not tested rear exhaust system missing (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Lower Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner sill panell (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame 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))

Pass 11 Sep 2017 170,433 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 7 Oct 2016 169,783 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Fail 6 Oct 2016 169,782 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement (3.3.A.5)

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill/floor (5.2.6)

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

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside indicator tell tale not flashing but audible

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

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

Offside wiper blade perishing

Pass 15 Oct 2015 168,712 miles

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

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

Fail 14 Oct 2015 168,710 miles

Nearside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

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

Pass 22 Oct 2014 167,605 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 15 Oct 2014 167,604 miles

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 4 Oct 2013 166,622 miles

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

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Oil leak

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

Fail 3 Oct 2013 166,620 miles

Exhaust emits visible black smoke at idle (7.3.A.2b)

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

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted) (2.2.A.1b)

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

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Oil leak

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

Pass 11 Oct 2012 165,322 miles
Pass 3 Nov 2011 163,353 miles
Fail 20 Oct 2011 163,313 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

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

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

All four tyres have cracks in side walls

Pass 13 Oct 2010 161,518 miles
Pass 13 Oct 2009 158,361 miles
Fail 13 Oct 2009 158,361 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Pass 30 Oct 2008 155,309 miles
Fail 30 Oct 2008 155,308 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Fail 31 Oct 2007 151,154 miles

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) obscured more than 50% (1.1.A.3c)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) obscured more than 50% (1.1.A.3c)

Pass 31 Oct 2007 151,154 miles
Pass 10 Oct 2006 148,616 miles
Fail 9 Oct 2006 148,616 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Pass 2 Nov 2005 144,376 miles
Fail 2 Nov 2005 144,376 miles

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Rear fog lamp not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.6b)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.6b)

How Reliable is the BMW 316?

Based on 1,210,990 MOT tests across 108,989 vehicles.

69.2%
Pass Rate
5,781
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
108,989
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 71,150
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 70,761
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 45,241
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 39,617
parking brake recording little or no effort 33,703
Full BMW 316 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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E243 SOP is a 1987 BMW 316 in Grey with a 1,766cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.6%.

Across all 1987 BMW 316 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.1% with a typical mileage of 106,510 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 316 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 71,150 recorded failures. If you're considering buying E243 SOP, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 316 typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 39 years old, this BMW 316 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of E243 SOP?

You can check the full history of E243 SOP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E243 SOP registered?

E243 SOP is a 1987 BMW 316, first registered on 1 November 1987.

Is E243 SOP safe to buy?

The MOT history for E243 SOP shows 29 tests with a 58.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E243 SOP 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 E243 SOP. 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.