CarVerify

Free Car Check

NFZ 3261

1997 BMW Z3

White Petrol 1895cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires18 Jun 2026
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

93,859 mi
Last recorded93,859 miles
Recorded on19 Jun 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

RegistrationNFZ 3261
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1997
ColourWhite
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,895cc

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 10 fail
Pass 19 Jun 2025 93,859 miles

Nearside Park brake slow to react

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

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

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

Fail 12 Jun 2025 93,854 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 28 May 2024 91,661 miles
Pass 11 May 2023 90,020 miles
Pass 23 May 2022 87,555 miles
Pass 27 May 2021 84,999 miles
Pass 28 May 2020 82,282 miles
Pass 7 Mar 2019 79,398 miles

Central Rear EXHAUST HANGER MISSING- BODY SIDE

FUEL CAP SEAL CRACKING

FUEL TANK STRAP CORRODED

Fluid leak, but not excessive POWER STEERING (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material NEAR BRAKE DISC PLATE (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Fail 14 Feb 2019 79,370 miles

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Central Rear EXHAUST HANGER MISSING- BODY SIDE

FUEL CAP SEAL CRACKING

FUEL TANK STRAP CORRODED

Fluid leak, but not excessive POWER STEERING (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement SPLITTING (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 23 Jan 2018 78,139 miles

oil leak

slight play in suspension

suspension rubbers poor

Fail 17 Jan 2018 78,111 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

major oil leak from engine

some surface corrosion to underside of vehicle

Fail 9 Jan 2018 78,099 miles

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

major oil leak from engine

rear exhaust pipe resting on rear subframe

some surface corrosion to underside of vehicle

Pass 5 Dec 2016 76,081 miles

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

rear exhaust corroded

Fail 2 Dec 2016 76,081 miles

Nearside Front Additional braking device wiring not secure (3.6.I.5)

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

rear exhaust corroded

Pass 11 Dec 2015 67,248 miles

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Nsf (1.7.5a)

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Osf (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Trailing 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)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Slight play in osf inner rack joint

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

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

Fail 11 Dec 2015 67,248 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Nsf (1.7.5a)

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Osf (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Trailing 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)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Slight play in osf inner rack joint

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

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

Pass 13 Dec 2014 52,318 miles

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

Pass 22 Apr 2014 45,754 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2013 44,002 miles

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

front exhaust clamp broke

high level stoplight disconnected

rear silencer corroded

Fail 24 Apr 2013 44,002 miles

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

front exhaust clamp broke

rear silencer corroded

Pass 27 Apr 2012 42,524 miles

Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Lower Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

airbag light on

exhaust mount from gearbox fractured but still supported

Pass 19 May 2011 40,987 miles

High level brake light fitted but not connected

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 20 May 2010 39,569 miles

Airbag light on.

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

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Fail 20 May 2010 39,569 miles

Airbag light on.

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

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 15 May 2009 37,592 miles
Fail 15 May 2009 37,592 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 20 May 2008 34,971 miles
Fail 15 May 2008 34,895 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

Pass 4 May 2007 31,945 miles

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

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

Pass 3 May 2006 30,212 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

NFZ 3261 is a 1997 BMW Z3 in White with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 NFZ 3261, 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 NFZ 3261?

You can check the full history of NFZ 3261 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was NFZ 3261 registered?

NFZ 3261 is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 1 December 1997.

Is NFZ 3261 safe to buy?

The MOT history for NFZ 3261 shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does NFZ 3261 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 NFZ 3261. 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.