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L8 YMB

1997 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 2793cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires28 May 2027
Tests28 (16 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

184,385 mi
Last recorded184,385 miles
Recorded on29 May 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL8 YMB
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,793cc

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

16 pass 12 fail
Pass 29 May 2026 184,385 miles
Fail 8 May 2026 184,384 miles

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

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

Pass 9 May 2025 184,185 miles
Fail 7 Apr 2025 184,185 miles

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 hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Pass 21 Feb 2024 183,594 miles
Fail 19 Feb 2024 183,594 miles

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

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

Rear Exhaust system insecure missing the rubber (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Central clamp been hit back (6.1.2 (a))

Horn dangling

Offside Rear Brake pad wear wire insecure.

Pass 28 Feb 2023 183,541 miles

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

Central Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 28 May 2021 182,930 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 28 May 2021 182,930 miles

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

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 29 May 2020 179,052 miles

Plastic sill covers fitted covering both sills

Slight surface corrosion to various under-side components not affecting it's strength or driveability.

Fail 4 Apr 2016 179,046 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

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

Centre Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

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

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

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

front to rear brake pipes greased

plastic sill covers covering both sills

Fail 10 Oct 2014 172,267 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

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)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 10 Oct 2014 172,267 miles

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)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 10 Oct 2013 167,970 miles

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage insecure (2.4.G.1)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

bonnet catch stiff

Pass 10 Oct 2013 167,970 miles

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

bonnet catch stiff

Pass 12 Oct 2012 162,594 miles

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

Nearside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

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

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

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

Fail 6 Sep 2012 162,585 miles

Front Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Front registration plate has a feature which changes the appearance or legibility of the characters (6.3.4c)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened (3.5.1b) DANGEROUS

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

Steering system excessively tight (2.2.D.1) DANGEROUS

Centre Rear Stop lamp obscured but not more than 50% (1.2.1c)

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

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

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

slight free play in nearside track rod

Pass 23 Aug 2011 158,778 miles
Fail 20 Aug 2011 158,778 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (8.4.1)

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Advise slight play in n/s steering arm.

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

Pass 2 Sep 2010 148,450 miles
Fail 1 Sep 2010 148,450 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 2 Sep 2009 141,436 miles
Pass 12 Aug 2008 134,442 miles
Fail 6 Aug 2008 134,442 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

Pass 18 Aug 2007 115,671 miles

Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 23 Aug 2006 100,934 miles
Fail 22 Aug 2006 100,934 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 29 Nov 2005 100,187 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)

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

non obligatory lamp insecure/defective

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

L8 YMB is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

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 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 L8 YMB, 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 L8 YMB?

You can check the full history of L8 YMB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L8 YMB registered?

L8 YMB is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 24 October 1997.

Is L8 YMB safe to buy?

The MOT history for L8 YMB shows 28 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L8 YMB 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 L8 YMB. 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.