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JCA 554

1997 BMW Z3

Silver Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Jun 2027
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

92,141 mi
Last recorded92,141 miles
Recorded on16 Jun 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJCA 554
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1997
ColourSilver
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

20 pass 7 fail
Pass 16 Jun 2026 92,141 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn top mount (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement top mount (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 5 May 2026 92,140 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn upper shock bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Driver's seat moving inadvertently (6.2.5 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front tyre rubbing on full lock

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn upper shock bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 8 May 2025 92,015 miles
Fail 6 May 2025 92,013 miles

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Pass 8 May 2024 91,847 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Apr 2023 91,809 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Mar 2022 91,544 miles

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases TAIL BOX SILENCER IN BAD CONDITION AND SLIGHTLY LEAKING (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 11 Mar 2022 91,543 miles

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases TAIL BOX SILENCER IN BAD CONDITION AND SLIGHTLY LEAKING (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 10 Mar 2021 91,427 miles

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

Nearside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Hub corroded

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Hub corroded

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 26 Apr 2019 90,885 miles

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

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin Both sides (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Under trays fitted . Unable to inspect some components.

Pass 2 May 2018 90,375 miles
Pass 2 May 2017 89,799 miles

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

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

Pass 30 Apr 2016 89,154 miles

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

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

Rear Exhaust corroded

Fail 15 Apr 2016 89,144 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Obligatory mirror missing (8.1.1)

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Exhaust corroded

Pass 10 Apr 2015 88,785 miles

Both rear coil springs corroded

Exhaust rear silencer corroded

Haedlamp aim slightly low

Hazard switch damaged but still operational

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

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

Offside and nearside outer sills corroded at rear

Rear brake pads worn

Fail 10 Apr 2015 88,785 miles

Both rear coil springs corroded

Exhaust rear silencer corroded

Haedlamp aim slightly low

Hazard switch damaged but still operational

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

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside and nearside outer sills corroded at rear

Rear brake pads worn

Pass 2 Apr 2014 88,230 miles

Auxilory drivebelt cracking slightly

Front wipers slightly streaky

Rear brake hose ferrules slightly corroded

Rear brake pads slightly worn

Slight play in offside front lower floating ball joint bush

Slight play in steering rack

Stone chip outside zone 'A' less than 40 mm diameter

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 28 Mar 2013 86,829 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Rear exhaust deteriorated

Fail 22 Mar 2013 86,829 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear exhaust deteriorated

Pass 2 Apr 2012 85,479 miles

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

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

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

Pass 28 Mar 2011 84,530 miles

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 25 Mar 2010 81,557 miles

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 25 Mar 2009 81,419 miles

Nearside Front Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Upper Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Offside Front Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Upper Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Fail 20 Mar 2009 81,419 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Upper Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Offside Front Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Upper Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Pass 2 Apr 2008 77,416 miles
Pass 29 Mar 2007 72,864 miles
Pass 27 Mar 2006 66,634 miles

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

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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

JCA 554 is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Silver with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

Across all 1997 BMW Z3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.6% with a typical mileage of 83,222 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 JCA 554, 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 29 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 JCA 554?

You can check the full history of JCA 554 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was JCA 554 registered?

JCA 554 is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 4 April 1997.

Is JCA 554 safe to buy?

The MOT history for JCA 554 shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does JCA 554 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 JCA 554. 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.