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F196 DLS

1988 BMW 325

Gold Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Apr 2027
Tests8 (4 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate50%

Mileage

118,304 mi
Last recorded118,304 miles
Recorded on25 Apr 2026
Typical for 1988 BMW 32593,632 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationF196 DLS
MakeBMW
Model325
Year1988
ColourGold
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,494cc

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

4 pass 4 fail
Pass 25 Apr 2026 118,304 miles

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

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

Headlamp switch does not immediately illuminate all dipped beam headlamps (4.1.3 (a))

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing offside front (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

hand brake long travel

Fail 15 Apr 2026 118,137 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar insecurely attached (5.3.3 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Headlamp switch does not immediately illuminate all dipped beam headlamps (4.1.3 (a))

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing offside front (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

hand brake long travel

Pass 26 Mar 2025 116,754 miles
Pass 29 Jan 2024 116,207 miles
Pass 1 Feb 2023 115,623 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front exhaust joint at clamp (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Fail 31 Jan 2023 115,620 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front exhaust joint at clamp (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Fail 9 Nov 2022 115,620 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Rear Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Fail 3 Nov 2022 115,618 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Rear Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

How Reliable is the BMW 325?

Based on 4,679 MOT tests across 604 vehicles.

79.3%
Pass Rate
4,833
Miles/Year
39
Year Lifespan
604
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 47
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 27
Full BMW 325 reliability report

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F196 DLS is a 1988 BMW 325 in Gold with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 8 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 50%.

Across all 1988 BMW 325 models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.7% with a typical mileage of 93,632 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 325 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 47 recorded failures. If you're considering buying F196 DLS, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 325 typically stays on UK roads for around 39 years. At 38 years old, this BMW 325 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of F196 DLS?

You can check the full history of F196 DLS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F196 DLS registered?

F196 DLS is a 1988 BMW 325, first registered on 30 December 1988.

Is F196 DLS safe to buy?

The MOT history for F196 DLS shows 8 tests with a 50% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F196 DLS 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 F196 DLS. 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.