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N162 SMY

1996 BMW M3

Purple Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Nov 2026
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

102,912 mi
Last recorded102,912 miles
Recorded on21 Nov 2025
Typical for 1996 BMW M3100,666 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationN162 SMY
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1996
ColourPurple
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

21 pass 8 fail
Pass 21 Nov 2025 102,912 miles

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 21 Nov 2025 102,902 miles

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 19 Nov 2024 101,292 miles

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

Fail 19 Nov 2024 101,290 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))

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 24 Nov 2023 99,877 miles
Fail 20 Nov 2023 99,877 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens seriously defective (Full of condensation) (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (Jacking point holed) (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (Condensated) (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 10 Nov 2022 97,610 miles

Nearside Front tyre wearing low on outer edges

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on outer edges (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Fail 9 Nov 2022 97,610 miles

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

Nearside Front tyre wearing low on outer edges

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on outer edges (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Nov 2021 94,228 miles
Pass 24 Nov 2020 90,908 miles
Fail 19 Nov 2020 90,908 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

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

Pass 17 Jul 2019 87,927 miles

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

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

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

Fail 10 Jul 2019 87,926 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc contaminated (1.1.14 (b))

Offside Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 12 Jun 2018 85,953 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Flexible Brake Hose Perished

Pass 22 Jun 2017 84,111 miles
Pass 23 Jun 2016 81,699 miles
Pass 22 Jun 2016 81,697 miles

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

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

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 24 Jun 2015 78,554 miles
Pass 24 Jun 2014 76,562 miles
Pass 1 Jul 2013 73,987 miles

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Pass 7 Jul 2012 70,632 miles
Pass 11 Feb 2012 69,686 miles
Fail 4 Feb 2012 69,647 miles

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Pass 9 Feb 2011 66,957 miles
Pass 23 Jul 2010 64,325 miles
Fail 22 Jul 2010 64,324 miles

Centre Upper Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 20 Aug 2009 64,290 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm 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 Apr 2007 64,076 miles
Pass 27 May 2006 61,891 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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N162 SMY is a 1996 BMW M3 in Purple with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

Across all 1996 BMW M3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.5% with a typical mileage of 100,666 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 N162 SMY, 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 30 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 N162 SMY?

You can check the full history of N162 SMY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N162 SMY registered?

N162 SMY is a 1996 BMW M3, first registered on 11 June 1996.

Is N162 SMY safe to buy?

The MOT history for N162 SMY shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N162 SMY 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 N162 SMY. 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.