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J788 ESP

1991 BMW 3 Series

Black Petrol 2494cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires27 May 2025
Tests19 (12 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate63.2%

Mileage

144,936 mi
Last recorded144,936 miles
Recorded on28 May 2024
Typical for 1991 BMW 3 Series122,236 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ788 ESP
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1991
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,494cc

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

12 pass 7 fail
Pass 28 May 2024 144,936 miles

Coil spring corroded All 4 springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Fail 21 May 2024 144,926 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Coil spring corroded All 4 springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Pass 3 May 2023 142,886 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 3 May 2022 142,161 miles

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

Front Coil spring corroded Both front. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect Both front. (5.3.2 (d))

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

Rear Coil spring corroded Both rear. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 15 Jul 2020 140,925 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 28 Feb 2018 139,618 miles

Nearside Rear shock missing bump stop

Nearside fuel pipe slightly corroded

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases missing clamp near join (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Body has slight corrosion near arch on outer seal (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both bushes (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both bushes (2.4.G.2)

signs of residue around base of engine

Fail 28 Feb 2018 139,618 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases missing clamp near join (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Body has slight corrosion near arch on outer seal (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both bushes (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear shock missing bump stop

Nearside fuel pipe slightly corroded

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement both bushes (2.4.G.2)

signs of residue around base of engine

Pass 27 Feb 2017 138,442 miles

Fuel pipe slightly chafed (7.2.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 14 Jan 2016 137,710 miles

Headlamp not working on main beam both (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 14 Jan 2016 137,710 miles
Pass 28 Jan 2015 136,974 miles

All tyres worn inner edges

Exhaust loose but still held securly in place

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

Washer aim requires adjustment but still providing to screen

Fail 24 Jan 2015 136,947 miles

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

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

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

All tyres worn inner edges

Exhaust loose but still held securly in place

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

Washer aim requires adjustment but still providing to screen

Fail 18 Dec 2014 136,974 miles

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

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

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

Nearside Front Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

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

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

Offside Front rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

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

Fuel lines corroded

N/S/F wing has a hole due to corrosion

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Jan 2012 134,937 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 17 Jan 2011 129,675 miles

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

Nearside Front Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

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

Nearside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

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

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

Offside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Offside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

drivers seat back rest worn...

nearside and offside front brake discs slightly pitted

Pass 2 Feb 2010 122,159 miles

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

rear exhaust held by metal straps but secure...

Fail 16 Jan 2010 122,154 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front coil spring cracked (2.4.C.1a)

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

Nearside Inner Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

Nearside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Offside Front Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

Offside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Offside Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Oil leak

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

exhaust at rear held up by straps, though secure...

Pass 7 Jan 2009 120,052 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Fail 9 Aug 2008 120,042 miles

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Both front inner sill/floor corroced and holed

Both front jacking point floor corroded and weak

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Oil leak

brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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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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

J788 ESP is a 1991 BMW 3 Series in Black with a 2,494cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 19 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.2%.

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 J788 ESP, 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 J788 ESP?

You can check the full history of J788 ESP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J788 ESP registered?

J788 ESP is a 1991 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 17 October 1991.

Is J788 ESP safe to buy?

The MOT history for J788 ESP shows 19 tests with a 63.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J788 ESP 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 J788 ESP. 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.