CarVerify

Free Car Check

J55 JKW

1998 BMW Z3

Black Petrol 1895cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires14 Aug 2026
Tests26 (14 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate53.8%

Mileage

122,522 mi
Last recorded122,522 miles
Recorded on15 Aug 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ55 JKW
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,895cc

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

14 pass 12 fail
Pass 15 Aug 2025 122,522 miles
Fail 5 Aug 2025 122,522 miles

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

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Pass 9 Aug 2024 122,414 miles

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

Fail 9 Aug 2024 122,414 miles

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

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 20 Jun 2023 122,110 miles
Fail 15 Jun 2023 122,095 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 17 Jun 2022 121,610 miles
Fail 7 Jun 2022 121,575 miles

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

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 26 Jun 2018 121,045 miles
Fail 14 Jun 2018 121,023 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits hydro carbons and lamba readings (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn offside bbj nearside front and rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps both (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Pass 8 Jun 2017 115,846 miles

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

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

Pass 27 Jun 2016 107,799 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Fail 27 Jun 2016 107,799 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

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

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Pass 16 Jun 2015 98,111 miles

Inner Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Oil leak

Fail 9 Jun 2015 97,932 miles

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

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

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

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

Inner Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Oil leak

Pass 17 Jun 2014 89,555 miles

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

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

Fail 11 Jun 2014 89,270 miles

Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

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

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

Nearside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 18 Jun 2013 82,598 miles

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

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

Fail 13 Jun 2013 82,552 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

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

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

Pass 12 Jul 2012 79,829 miles

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

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

Fail 10 Jul 2012 78,787 miles

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

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

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

Pass 12 Jul 2011 78,363 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 11 Jul 2011 78,358 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 May 2008
Fail 12 May 2008 76,289 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Both front tyres scrubbing inner edges N/S/F wheel small dent on inner edge

Nail in offside rear tyre

Pass 18 Apr 2006 73,715 miles

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

How Reliable is the BMW Z3?

Based on 498,063 MOT tests across 26,000 vehicles.

73.2%
Pass Rate
2,128
Miles/Year
29
Year Lifespan
26,000
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 17,103
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 15,600
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 10,064
position lamp(s) not working 9,305
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 7,992
Full BMW Z3 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

J55 JKW is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Black with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.8%.

Across all 1998 BMW Z3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.1% with a typical mileage of 76,857 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 Z3 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 17,103 recorded failures. If you're considering buying J55 JKW, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW Z3 typically stays on UK roads for around 29 years. At 28 years old, this BMW Z3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J55 JKW?

You can check the full history of J55 JKW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J55 JKW registered?

J55 JKW is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 1 August 1998.

Is J55 JKW safe to buy?

The MOT history for J55 JKW shows 26 tests with a 53.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J55 JKW 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 J55 JKW. 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.