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P103 RCV

1997 BMW Z3

Silver Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Sep 2026
Tests33 (19 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate57.6%

Mileage

166,128 mi
Last recorded166,128 miles
Recorded on17 Sep 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP103 RCV
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1997
ColourSilver
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

19 pass 14 fail
Pass 17 Sep 2025 166,128 miles

Central Rear Fuel tank straps heavily corroded

Nearside Outer Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Outer Sill cover corroded and holed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 17 Jul 2025 165,936 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

Pass 29 Jul 2024 158,451 miles

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

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

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

Pass 17 Jul 2023 152,445 miles

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

Fail 17 Jul 2023 152,445 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 emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

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

Pass 1 Aug 2022 147,332 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated slight perishing brake hoses (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Brake pad warning light ON pads ok

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases rear pipe (6.1.2 (a))

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

hand brake cable worn

screen washer bottle leaking

Fail 14 Jul 2022 147,267 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Brake pad warning light on

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Tail pipe (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Pass 7 Jun 2021 141,717 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Fail 7 Jun 2021 141,717 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 1 Jul 2020 137,093 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

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

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

Fail 1 Jul 2020 137,093 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

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

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

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

Pass 22 May 2019 129,179 miles
Fail 22 May 2019 129,179 miles

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

Pass 5 Jun 2018 125,987 miles
Fail 5 Jun 2018 125,987 miles

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Pass 9 May 2017 122,375 miles

Front registration plate faded but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 9 May 2017 122,375 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front registration plate faded but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 29 Apr 2016 117,536 miles

Nearside Rear Trailing arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Trailing arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 29 Apr 2016 117,536 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Trailing arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 17 Mar 2015 109,416 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

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

Fail 17 Mar 2015 109,416 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Pass 31 Mar 2014 102,892 miles

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

offside rear tyre worn on the inner edge

Pass 26 Feb 2013 98,989 miles

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

rear exhaust deteriorated

Fail 26 Jan 2012 93,710 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Spare tyre defective

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 26 Jan 2012 93,710 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Spare tyre defective

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 5 Jan 2011 92,714 miles
Pass 8 Oct 2009 91,024 miles
Fail 8 Oct 2009 91,024 miles

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

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

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

Pass 3 Oct 2008 87,665 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

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

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

Fail 22 Sep 2008 87,493 miles

Nearside Outer Rear Sub-frame rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Outer Rear Sub-frame rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

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

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

Pass 31 Jul 2007 79,913 miles

Front number plate worn

Nearside Outer Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Outer Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 14 Jul 2006 71,748 miles
Fail 12 Jul 2006 71,609 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high when the centre of the headlamp is below 850mm from the ground (1.6.B2)

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high when the centre of the headlamp is below 850mm from the ground (1.6.B2)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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P103 RCV is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Silver with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.6%.

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 P103 RCV, 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 P103 RCV?

You can check the full history of P103 RCV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P103 RCV registered?

P103 RCV is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 20 June 1997.

Is P103 RCV safe to buy?

The MOT history for P103 RCV shows 33 tests with a 57.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P103 RCV 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 P103 RCV. 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.