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M3 YRO

1997 BMW M3

Blue Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Sep 2026
Tests31 (21 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate67.7%

Mileage

137,028 mi
Last recorded137,028 miles
Recorded on3 Sep 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 YRO
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,201cc
View full BMW M3 reliability data Browse other 1997 BMW M3 registrations

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

21 pass 10 fail
Pass 3 Sep 2025 137,028 miles

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

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

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

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

Power steering ram components slightly misaligned Steering rack area (2.1.5 (e) (i))

Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive differential (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 3 Sep 2025 137,028 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested (1.2.1 (g))

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively twisted (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system in 2 places (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

Power steering ram components slightly misaligned Steering rack area (2.1.5 (e) (i))

Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive differential (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Jul 2025 136,938 miles

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded from front to flexi hose (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floorpan and sill panel (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded from front to flexi hose (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parkin brake only just met limit 16%

Power steering ram has slight seepage from a joint slight leak from power steering rack area (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive differential (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Aug 2024 135,116 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

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

Fail 23 Jul 2024 135,109 miles

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

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

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

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush likely to become detached trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

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

Pass 19 Jul 2023 133,200 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 19 Jul 2023 133,199 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 13 Jul 2022 130,728 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 13 Jul 2022 130,724 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 Jul 2021 128,535 miles

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

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

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

Fail 21 Jul 2021 128,532 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 30 Jun 2020 126,566 miles

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

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

Fail 29 Jun 2020 126,565 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

Pass 8 Jul 2019 124,798 miles

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

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

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

rear diff leaking oil

Fail 5 Jul 2019 124,798 miles

Emissions not tested engine overheated on emissions test (8.2.2.2 (e))

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

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

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

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

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

rear diff leaking oil

Pass 23 Jul 2018 122,546 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Jul 2017 120,333 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2016 115,388 miles
Pass 23 Jul 2015 112,131 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

car got very hot during emissions test

Pass 24 Jul 2014 109,486 miles

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

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

Fail 24 Jul 2014 109,486 miles

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

Pass 25 Jul 2013 106,843 miles

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

Pass 2 Jul 2012 102,738 miles
Pass 26 Jul 2011 97,894 miles
Pass 6 Jul 2010 94,557 miles
Fail 6 Jul 2010 94,557 miles

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

Pass 30 Jun 2009 90,339 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2008 87,212 miles
Pass 18 Jul 2007 84,085 miles
Pass 18 Jul 2006 78,211 miles
Pass 28 Jun 2005 73,721 miles

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 YRO is a 1997 BMW M3 in Blue with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.7%.

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 YRO, 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 YRO?

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

What year was M3 YRO registered?

M3 YRO is a 1997 BMW M3, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is M3 YRO safe to buy?

The MOT history for M3 YRO shows 31 tests with a 67.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M3 YRO 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 YRO. 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.