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J226 MDF

1991 BMW 3 Series

Red Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Aug 2027
Tests30 (21 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate70%

Mileage

202,297 mi
Last recorded202,297 miles
Recorded on28 Aug 2026
Typical for 1991 BMW 3 Series122,236 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ226 MDF
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1991
ColourRed
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

21 pass 9 fail
Pass 28 Aug 2026 202,297 miles

Brake pad warning light on

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

Excessive corrosion to n/s/r box section behind wheel

Fuel pipes corroded

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

Oil leak, but not excessive rear differential (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Unable to tip drivers seat forward

o/s/r box section badly corroded behind wheel

Fail 8 Jul 2026 202,297 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength top strut mount area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired sill area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor, by fuel tank (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner & outer sill and inner arch area badly corroded (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Both front bump stops missing

Brake pad warning light on

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

Corrosion to front section of o/s/f inner wheel arch

Excessive corrosion to n/s/r box section behind rear wheel

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

Rear exhaust mount broken

n/s/f chassis leg inside wheel arch badly corroded

n/s/r inner wheel arch corroded through

o/s inner sill corroded through

o/s/f jacking point/inner sill badly corroded

o/s/r box section behind wheel corroded through

o/s/r inner wheel arch corroded through

unable to tip drivers seat forward

Pass 24 Jul 2025 202,019 miles

Corrosion n/s/r

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

Inner sills in poor condition

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

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

Fail 9 Jul 2025 201,899 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor pan (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength flor pan inner and outer sill corroded and hold (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor pan to inner sill corroded and hold (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated o/s and n/s (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 10 Jul 2024 198,286 miles

Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement o/s and n/s front / rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Damp patch between fuel filler neck and fuel tank

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced o/s and n/s floor pans to inner sills. o/s and n/s front inner wings / bulk head (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive rear differential (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened and suspension componants (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Under vehical corrosion . boot floor holed o/s

Pass 27 Jul 2023 196,465 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine . Gearbox . Rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Under vehicle corrosion

Pass 6 Jul 2022 193,276 miles

Centre exhaust mount broken

Corrosion to n/s/f floor area

Drivers seat wont tip forwards

Front bump stops perished

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

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 1 Jul 2022 193,234 miles

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor/jacking point area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Brake fluid close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Centre exhaust mount broken

Corrosion to n/s/f floor area

Drivers seat wont tip forwards

Front bump stops perished

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

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 30 Jul 2021 190,289 miles

Both rear tyres worn close to limit

Centre exhaust mount in poor condition

Front anti roll bar link rod bushes worn

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside front floor corroded

Offside front tyre worn on edges

Fail 7 Jul 2021 190,247 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Both rear tyres worn close to limit

Centre exhaust mount in poor condition

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside front floor corroded

Offside front tyre worn on edges

Pass 30 Jul 2020 186,225 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement o/s and n/s (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Fail 26 Jun 2020 186,075 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt inner front (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play inner rack end (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor pan in 2 places (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush o/s and n/s top (5.3.2 (c))

Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement o/s and n/s (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 20 May 2019 178,651 miles

Both front floors starting to corrode

Both front inner wheel arches corroded

Metal brake pipes starting to corrode

Metal fuel pipes starting to corrode

Pass 14 May 2018 173,276 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

both front suspension bump stops are perished

slight play at n/s inner steering arm joint

Pass 5 May 2017 168,157 miles

Both front bump stops perished

Fail 5 May 2017 168,157 miles

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill area (seat mount) (5.2.6)

Both front bump stops perished

o/s/f inner sill corroded through

Pass 5 May 2016 163,135 miles
Pass 12 May 2015 158,458 miles
Pass 14 May 2014 154,265 miles
Fail 13 May 2014 154,264 miles

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

Pass 13 May 2013 149,240 miles

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

Pass 18 May 2012 144,342 miles
Fail 17 May 2012 144,342 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 12 May 2011 138,614 miles
Fail 11 May 2011 138,614 miles

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

Pass 10 May 2010 133,816 miles
Pass 20 May 2009 129,837 miles
Pass 2 May 2008 126,605 miles

knocking noise from both rear shock absobers

Pass 2 May 2007 122,399 miles
Pass 6 Apr 2006 116,640 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

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J226 MDF is a 1991 BMW 3 Series in Red with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70%.

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 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 J226 MDF, 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 J226 MDF?

You can check the full history of J226 MDF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J226 MDF registered?

J226 MDF is a 1991 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 1 August 1991.

Is J226 MDF safe to buy?

The MOT history for J226 MDF shows 30 tests with a 70% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J226 MDF 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 J226 MDF. 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.