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M3 UAF

1997 BMW M3

Blue Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires1 Feb 2025
Tests26 (16 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate61.5%

Mileage

156,282 mi
Last recorded156,282 miles
Recorded on8 Apr 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW M396,985 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationM3 UAF
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,201cc

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 10 fail
Fail 8 Apr 2025 156,282 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Front All direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute (4.4.4 (a))

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

Rear All direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute (4.4.4 (a))

Pass 2 Feb 2024 153,456 miles

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 2 Feb 2024 153,456 miles

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

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 14 Jan 2023 151,663 miles

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 18 Aug 2021 148,718 miles

Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened both front (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 6 Aug 2020 146,781 miles

Offside Front inner sill area rusty and weak

Offside Rear Inner Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing edge perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 30 Mar 2020 146,653 miles

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))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 18 Feb 2019 144,891 miles

local corrosion on jacking area

Fail 12 Feb 2019 144,821 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 carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

local corrosion on jacking area

Pass 24 Apr 2017 139,678 miles

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

front tyres worn on edge

Pass 8 Feb 2016 136,079 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin front inner (3.5.1g)

Fail 5 Feb 2016 136,078 miles

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm n/s and o/s rear (4.1.E.1)

Brake pad(s) wearing thin front inner (3.5.1g)

Pass 23 Jan 2015 128,798 miles
Pass 4 Mar 2014 128,558 miles

slight rust on fuel and brake pipes

Pass 30 Nov 2012 124,584 miles
Fail 26 Nov 2012 124,576 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 18 Nov 2011 119,763 miles

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

Fail 17 Nov 2011 119,736 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Pass 24 Nov 2010 112,485 miles

both front anti roll bar link dust covers split

brake pad warning light staying on

one bulb inoperative high level brake light

plastic over sills unable to fully examine

Fail 23 Nov 2010 112,482 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

both front anti roll bar link dust covers split

brake pad warning light staying on

one bulb inoperative high level brake light

plastic over sills unable to fully examine

Pass 25 Nov 2009 112,157 miles
Fail 21 Nov 2009 112,157 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 17 Oct 2008 108,216 miles

All 4 tyres low + O/S/F scrubbing inner edge and N/S/F scrubbing outer edge, recommend KDS

Both front anti roll bar drop link bushes split

Oil leak from engine

Rear brake pipes corroding

Rear pads low

Rear shock top mounts split

Pass 3 Oct 2007 103,472 miles

AIR BAG LAMP ON

BONNET STRUTS WEAK

FRONT TO REAR METAL BRAKE PIPES CORRODED

Pass 11 Sep 2006 100,088 miles
Fail 5 Sep 2006 100,088 miles

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

o/s/r shock absorber dust cover damaged

oil leaks all over engine area

How Reliable is the BMW M3?

Based on 440,678 MOT tests across 34,038 vehicles.

80.8%
Pass Rate
3,682
Miles/Year
32
Year Lifespan
34,038
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 14,421
Brake pipe excessively corroded 7,386
coil spring incomplete 5,157
coil spring fractured 4,494
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 3,944
Full BMW M3 reliability report

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M3 UAF is a 1997 BMW M3 in Blue with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.5%.

Across all 1997 BMW M3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.9% with a typical mileage of 96,985 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 M3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 14,421 recorded failures. If you're considering buying M3 UAF, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW M3 typically stays on UK roads for around 32 years. At 29 years old, this BMW M3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of M3 UAF?

You can check the full history of M3 UAF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M3 UAF registered?

M3 UAF is a 1997 BMW M3, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is M3 UAF safe to buy?

The MOT history for M3 UAF shows 26 tests with a 61.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M3 UAF 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 M3 UAF. 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.