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H478 CBE

1991 BMW 3 Series

Black Petrol 1795cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Jan 2027
Tests25 (13 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate52%

Mileage

203,228 mi
Last recorded203,228 miles
Recorded on26 Jan 2026
Typical for 1991 BMW 3 Series122,236 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationH478 CBE
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1991
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,795cc

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

13 pass 12 fail
Pass 26 Jan 2026 203,228 miles

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

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear Upper Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (body to trailing arm) both sides (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Pass 23 Jan 2025 202,856 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule body - trailing arm (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Pass 30 Jan 2024 202,513 miles

Air mass meter to intake manifold plastic pipe appears to be split .

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule Body to trailing arm . (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Fail 29 Jan 2024 202,513 miles

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Air mass meter to intake manifold plastic pipe appears to be split .

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule Body to trailing arm . (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Fail 22 Mar 2017 202,465 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner wheel arch (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake actuating linkage mounting prescribed area is severely distorted inner wheel arch (3.3.A.2)

Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner wheel arch (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner wheel arch (2.4.A.3)

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules both rear front (3.6.B.4e)

Brake pipe slightly corroded both front (3.6.B.2c)

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Macpherson strut has slight play in the sliding bush or gland both front (2.5.B.1b)

Nearside Front tyre badly split on inner sidewall

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear brake disc discoloured

Offside Rear tyre badly split on inner sidewall

front brake fluctuating, but not excessively both front (3.7.B.3)

Fail 4 Oct 2016 202,444 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

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

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Sill end and lower arch (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill end and lower arch (2.4.A.3)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

Nearside Front tyre inner sidewall split

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

Nearside Rear Outer driveshaft cv boot badly perished

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

Offside Rear tyre inner sidewall split

Rear Body has slight corrosion wheel arches corroded (6.1.B.2)

Pass 7 Oct 2015 200,263 miles

Body has slight corrosion both rear arches corroded (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded to flexi (3.6.B.2c)

airflow meter to intake manifold pipe split

Fail 30 Sep 2015 200,200 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (5.2.6)

Body has slight corrosion both rear arches corroded (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded to flexi (3.6.B.2c)

airflow meter to intake manifold pipe split

Pass 8 Sep 2014 197,333 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

rear wheel arches corroded.

Fail 28 Aug 2014 197,319 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

rear wheel arches corroded.

Pass 30 Aug 2013 194,768 miles

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

both outer sills corroded

both rear wheel arches corroded

nearside outer sill corroded behind door

offside front inner wheel arch corroded

Fail 21 Aug 2013 194,740 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

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

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

both outer sills corroded

both rear wheel arches corroded

nearside outer sill corroded behind door

offside front inner wheel arch corroded

Pass 16 Aug 2012 193,354 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

both outer sills corroded

both rear wheel arches corroded

offside front inner wheel arch corroded

Fail 7 Aug 2012 193,341 miles

Offside Rear Fuel system component insecure (7.2.1)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

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

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

both outer sills corroded

both rear wheel arches corroded

offside front inner wheel arch corroded

Fail 22 Jun 2011 191,371 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

Pass 22 Jun 2011 191,371 miles
Pass 17 Jun 2010 190,063 miles

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

Fail 17 Jun 2010 190,063 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Outer Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Outer Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 25 Jun 2009 187,970 miles
Fail 24 Jun 2009 187,965 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Pass 13 Jun 2008 185,281 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

all four jacking points corroded

both outer sills behind doors corroded

n/s/f chassis leg corroded

rear brake pipes corroded

Fail 11 Jun 2008 184,998 miles

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

all four jacking points corroded

both outer sills behind doors corroded

n/s/f chassis leg corroded

rear brake pipes corroded

Pass 11 May 2007 180,292 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

both front inner wings and n/s/f chassis leg corroded

both sills behind doors corroded

jacking points corroded

rear brake pipes corroded

Pass 26 Apr 2006 170,808 miles

all jacking points corroded and n/s/f chassis leg corroded

outer sills behind doors corroded

rear brake pipes corroded

Fail 26 Apr 2006 170,808 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

all jacking points corroded and n/s/f chassis leg corroded

outer sills behind doors corroded

rear brake pipes corroded

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

H478 CBE is a 1991 BMW 3 Series in Black with a 1,795cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52%.

Across all 1991 BMW 3 Series models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.7% with a typical mileage of 122,236 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 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 H478 CBE, 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 35 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 H478 CBE?

You can check the full history of H478 CBE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H478 CBE registered?

H478 CBE is a 1991 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 31 December 1991.

Is H478 CBE safe to buy?

The MOT history for H478 CBE shows 25 tests with a 52% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H478 CBE 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 H478 CBE. 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.