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J23 FKU

1996 BMW 316

Blue Petrol 1596cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Apr 2027
Tests28 (20 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

158,139 mi
Last recorded158,139 miles
Recorded on17 Apr 2026
Typical for 1996 BMW 316104,488 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ23 FKU
MakeBMW
Model316
Year1996
ColourBlue
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 8 fail
Pass 17 Apr 2026 158,139 miles

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 13 Apr 2026 158,074 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired Floor section (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Apr 2025 151,431 miles

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 31 Mar 2025 151,353 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure both (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 24 Apr 2024 144,861 miles

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 17 Apr 2024 144,828 miles

Central Rear Seat belt not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (c))

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Headlamp aim too high both (4.1.2 (a))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 21 Feb 2024 144,719 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Headlamp aim too high Both (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Nearside inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Front registration plate smoked

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Feb 2023 132,335 miles

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 27 Feb 2023 132,335 miles

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Front Road wheel fixing missing both (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Jul 2021 128,304 miles

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

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced NEARSIDE SILL FRONT AND BACK (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement also top ball joint cover perishing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 20 Jul 2021 128,304 miles

Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced X 2 AT JACKING POINT OUTER SILL (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced NEARSIDE SILL FRONT AND BACK (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement also top ball joint cover perishing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 3 Aug 2020 127,358 miles
Pass 15 Apr 2019 126,179 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2018 124,905 miles
Pass 18 Apr 2017 123,527 miles
Pass 18 Apr 2016 121,963 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2015 120,480 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2014 118,826 miles

windscreen damaged

Pass 22 Apr 2013 115,730 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

Pass 16 Apr 2012 113,854 miles

clutch slipping

Pass 18 Apr 2011 111,748 miles

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

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

slight play in steering shaft from column to steering rack

Fail 18 Apr 2011 111,746 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

slight play in steering shaft from column to steering rack

Pass 26 Apr 2010 109,751 miles

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Offside Front Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

front and middle exhaust mounting bracket/clamp corroded

Fail 26 Apr 2010 109,750 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Offside Front Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

front and middle exhaust mounting bracket/clamp corroded

Pass 27 Apr 2009 107,524 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 22 Apr 2008 104,734 miles
Pass 4 May 2007 102,988 miles
Pass 8 May 2006 101,308 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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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J23 FKU is a 1996 BMW 316 in Blue with a 1,596cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

Across all 1996 BMW 316 models, the average MOT pass rate is 64.6% with a typical mileage of 104,488 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 J23 FKU, 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 30 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 J23 FKU?

You can check the full history of J23 FKU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J23 FKU registered?

J23 FKU is a 1996 BMW 316, first registered on 4 August 1996.

Is J23 FKU safe to buy?

The MOT history for J23 FKU shows 28 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J23 FKU 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 J23 FKU. 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.