CarVerify

Free Car Check

E36 BLU

1996 BMW 3 Series

Blue Petrol 2793cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Apr 2027
Tests48 (33 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate68.8%

Mileage

103,798 mi
Last recorded103,798 miles
Recorded on10 Apr 2026
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
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationE36 BLU
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1996
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,793cc

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

33 pass 15 fail
Pass 10 Apr 2026 103,798 miles
Fail 10 Apr 2026 103,798 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

Pass 19 Aug 2025 162,180 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Apr 2025 101,980 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 14 Apr 2025 101,980 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 13 Aug 2024 158,635 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2024 98,685 miles

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

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear handbrake effort low

Pass 21 Aug 2023 158,160 miles
Pass 4 Apr 2023 94,279 miles

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

Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear handbrake effort low

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All 4 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 2 Aug 2022 158,008 miles
Pass 30 Jul 2021 157,705 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2021 94,243 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

under body corroding

Pass 4 Aug 2020 153,406 miles

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

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

Fail 18 Jul 2020 153,394 miles

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

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

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

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced iner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 27 May 2020 93,347 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

under body corroding

Pass 16 Jul 2018 153,063 miles
Fail 16 Jul 2018 153,063 miles

Offside Rear Brake cable damaged (1.1.15 (a))

Pass 28 Jun 2018 92,034 miles

Both rear tyres perishing on walls.

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement inner bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 28 Jun 2018 92,034 miles

Both rear tyres perishing on walls.

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement inner bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 19 Jul 2017 150,736 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive jacking point (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive jacking point (5.2.6)

Pass 12 May 2016 150,056 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

coolant leak from radiator

Fail 12 May 2016 150,056 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Track rod end loose (2.2.B.1d)

coolant leak from radiator

Pass 29 May 2015
Fail 29 May 2015 148,482 miles

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

Pass 30 Apr 2014 91,037 miles

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

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

Pass 10 Mar 2014 147,356 miles

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

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

Fail 27 Feb 2014 147,356 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

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

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Fail 1 Feb 2013 144,431 miles

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

Pass 1 Feb 2013 144,431 miles
Pass 5 Jan 2012 141,368 miles
Fail 4 Jan 2012 141,368 miles

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

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

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

Pass 2 Jun 2011 89,718 miles

n/s/f tyre valve perished

o/s/f antiroll bar link has slight play

o/s/f tyre has cut to cords not in excess of requirements

top of rear shocks corroding

Pass 25 Jan 2011 129,761 miles

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

Fail 17 Jan 2011 129,396 miles

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

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

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

Pass 28 May 2010 88,820 miles

Wiper blades do not operate continuously on speed 1

Fail 15 May 2010 88,768 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

Wiper blades do not operate continuously on speed 1

Pass 11 Feb 2010 114,136 miles
Pass 27 Jan 2010

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

Pass 6 May 2009 81,947 miles
Pass 19 Jan 2009 103,052 miles
Fail 17 Jan 2009 103,051 miles

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

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

Pass 8 May 2008 78,272 miles

front brake pads appear to be low

Fail 8 May 2008 78,272 miles

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.D.4)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

front brake pads appear to be low

Pass 3 Jan 2008 92,097 miles
Pass 13 Mar 2007 73,481 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 2 Dec 2006 83,514 miles
Pass 8 Mar 2006 69,014 miles
Fail 8 Mar 2006 69,014 miles

Headlamp aim too high when the centre of the headlamp is below 850mm from the ground (1.6.B2)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

E36 BLU is a 1996 BMW 3 Series in Blue with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 48 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68.8%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 E36 BLU, 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 E36 BLU?

You can check the full history of E36 BLU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E36 BLU registered?

E36 BLU is a 1996 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is E36 BLU safe to buy?

The MOT history for E36 BLU shows 48 tests with a 68.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E36 BLU 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 E36 BLU. 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.