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E3 XBB

1996 BMW 3 Series

Green Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Jun 2027
Tests23 (18 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate78.3%

Mileage

Typical for 1996 BMW 3 Series112,776 mi
4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationE3 XBB
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1996
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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

18 pass 5 fail
Pass 18 Jun 2026

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Front Coolant leak

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Fail 16 Jun 2026

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

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

Front Registration plate insecure (0.1 (a))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Front Coolant leak

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Pass 5 Dec 2024 74,366 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 5 Dec 2024 74,366 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Jul 2023 71,204 miles

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

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 23 Dec 2021 69,252 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Nov 2020 62,206 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases mid section (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 10 Dec 2019 58,702 miles

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

Pass 29 May 2019 58,490 miles

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

Fail 28 May 2019 58,490 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Front Inner 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

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front brake pipe slightly corroded

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Pass 21 Oct 2015 56,938 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 8 Oct 2014 53,959 miles
Pass 18 Oct 2013 51,803 miles
Pass 24 Oct 2012 48,941 miles
Fail 24 Oct 2012 48,941 miles

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

Pass 20 Oct 2011 45,796 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 Oct 2010 43,293 miles
Pass 21 Oct 2009 40,564 miles

slight lip on front discs

Pass 9 Oct 2008 37,341 miles
Pass 26 Oct 2007 34,985 miles
Fail 4 Oct 2006 32,863 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

nearside rear tyre worn low on edge.

Pass 4 Oct 2006 32,863 miles

nearside rear tyre worn low on edge.

Pass 7 Oct 2005 30,365 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

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.

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E3 XBB is a 1996 BMW 3 Series in Green with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 78.3%.

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 E3 XBB, 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 E3 XBB?

You can check the full history of E3 XBB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E3 XBB registered?

E3 XBB is a 1996 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 18 October 1996.

Is E3 XBB safe to buy?

The MOT history for E3 XBB shows 23 tests with a 78.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E3 XBB 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 E3 XBB. 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.