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FWW 704M

1997 BMW 316

Grey Petrol 1596cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Feb 2027
Tests24 (20 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate83.3%

Mileage

122,412 mi
Last recorded122,412 miles
Recorded on16 Feb 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 316102,710 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

RegistrationFWW 704M
MakeBMW
Model316
Year1997
ColourGrey
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,596cc

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

20 pass 4 fail
Pass 16 Feb 2026 122,412 miles

Nearside Front Inner Steering linkage ball joint has slight play rack joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge no visible tread on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge no visible tread on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

Pass 1 Nov 2024 114,756 miles

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

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

Fail 4 Sep 2024 114,739 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 205/60/15 (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Both lower front wings excessively corroded

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Underside showing signs on corrosion

Pass 25 Jul 2023 102,806 miles

Drive belt worn, but not excessively auxiliary belt perished (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake imbalance requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2mm (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 17 Jul 2023 102,806 miles

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

Nearside Rear Inner Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength hole in inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength hole in inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Drive belt worn, but not excessively auxiliary belt perished (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake imbalance requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2mm (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 20 Jul 2022 90,238 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Sep 2020 89,647 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

all tyres perishing slightly

Pass 25 Sep 2019 88,224 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

all tyres slightly perishing

Pass 18 Sep 2018 85,778 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

all tyres perishing slightly

Pass 20 Sep 2017 83,515 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2016 81,129 miles
Pass 26 Sep 2015 78,472 miles
Fail 25 Sep 2015 78,472 miles

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

Pass 23 Sep 2014 75,067 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

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

Pass 23 Sep 2013 71,460 miles

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

Fail 23 Sep 2013 71,460 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Sep 2012 68,292 miles

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

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

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

Pass 21 Sep 2011 65,134 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2010 61,553 miles

all tyres deteriorating on side walls

Pass 22 Sep 2009 57,356 miles

o/sf n/sf o/sr n/sr tyres showing signs of deteriorating on side walls

Pass 23 Sep 2008 52,994 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2007 48,381 miles

o/sf and n/sf tyres showing signs of deteriorating on side walls

Pass 14 Sep 2006 42,823 miles
Pass 12 Aug 2005 37,711 miles

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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FWW 704M is a 1997 BMW 316 in Grey with a 1,596cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 83.3%.

Across all 1997 BMW 316 models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.3% with a typical mileage of 102,710 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 FWW 704M, 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 29 years old, this BMW 316 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of FWW 704M?

You can check the full history of FWW 704M by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FWW 704M registered?

FWW 704M is a 1997 BMW 316, first registered on 14 October 1997.

Is FWW 704M safe to buy?

The MOT history for FWW 704M shows 24 tests with a 83.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does FWW 704M 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 FWW 704M. 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.