CarVerify

Free Car Check

N5 BHS

1997 BMW Z3

Black Petrol 2793cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Dec 2026
Tests24 (20 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate83.3%

Mileage

104,446 mi
Last recorded104,446 miles
Recorded on27 Nov 2025
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
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationN5 BHS
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1997
ColourBlack
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

20 pass 4 fail
Pass 27 Nov 2025 104,446 miles

suspension parts front and rear corroded

Pass 28 Nov 2024 104,351 miles

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

Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively Slight heat damage suspect been binding previously (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Underneath starting to corrode, front and rear suspension

Pass 15 Nov 2023 104,313 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Pass 24 Nov 2022 104,213 miles

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement nearside/offside front (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 13 Nov 2021 104,198 miles
Fail 12 Nov 2021 104,198 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 20 Nov 2020 103,946 miles

Anti roll bar corroded.

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))

Rear brake pipes slight corrosion above tank.

Sill covers fitted.

Pass 21 Nov 2019 103,851 miles

Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

sill covers fitted

Pass 12 Dec 2018 103,191 miles

Slight blow from centre exhaust.

Pass 20 Nov 2017 102,878 miles

Centre silencer corroded(not blowing).

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

Fail 16 Nov 2017 102,874 miles

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Centre silencer corroded(not blowing).

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

Pass 17 Nov 2016 102,757 miles

General surface corrosion under car to most steering/suspension components.

Nearside Front Body has slight corrosion sill area (6.1.B.2)

Offside Body has slight corrosion Front and rear sills, at jacking areas (6.1.B.2)

Pass 5 Nov 2015 102,439 miles
Pass 6 Oct 2014 102,120 miles

front and rear anti-roll bars and links showing corrosion

front and rear flexi ferrules showing corrosion

front sections of metal brake pipe showing corrosion

n/s/rear tyre has light cracking

slight exhaust corrosion

steering column showing corrosion

unable to fully inspect underside and sills due to plastic covers

Fail 1 Oct 2014 102,115 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Track rod end excessively corroded and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Track rod end excessively corroded and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

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

front and rear anti-roll bars and links showing corrosion

front and rear flexi ferrules showing corrosion

front sections of metal brake pipe showing corrosion

n/s/rear tyre has light cracking

slight exhaust corrosion

steering column showing corrosion

unable to fully inspect underside and sills due to plastic covers

Pass 30 Sep 2013 101,812 miles

front and rear metal brake pipes showing corrosion

n/s and o/s front wishbone rear bushes showing fatigue

underbody and suspension component corrrosion

Pass 21 Sep 2012 101,502 miles

exhaust front mount showing corrosion

front metal brake pipes showing corrosion

front metal brake pipes showing corrosion

steering column showing corrosion

Pass 29 Sep 2011 101,332 miles

exhaust showing slight corrosion

front brake discs showing slight corrosion

rear metal brake pipes showing slight corrosion

Pass 16 Sep 2010 100,316 miles
Pass 11 Sep 2009 99,095 miles

both handbrake cables starting to perish/corrode

Fail 11 Sep 2009 99,095 miles

Nearside Rear Lower coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

both handbrake cables starting to perish/corrode

Pass 25 Sep 2008 98,417 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2007 97,635 miles
Pass 17 Jul 2006 94,982 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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

N5 BHS is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Black with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 83.3%.

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 N5 BHS, 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 N5 BHS?

You can check the full history of N5 BHS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N5 BHS registered?

N5 BHS is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 1 July 1997.

Is N5 BHS safe to buy?

The MOT history for N5 BHS shows 24 tests with a 83.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N5 BHS 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 N5 BHS. 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.