CarVerify

Free Car Check

P119 WAM

1997 BMW 316

Black Petrol 1596cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires28 Apr 2026
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

123,589 mi
Last recorded123,589 miles
Recorded on29 Apr 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW 316102,710 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

RegistrationP119 WAM
MakeBMW
Model316
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,596cc

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 9 fail
Pass 29 Apr 2025 123,589 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 14 Sep 2023

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 22 Dec 2022

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All four (1.1.11 (c))

Central Stop lamp(s) light intensity obviously reduced (4.3.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. lagging in operation (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component oil from engine disguising location (2.1.5 (a))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced general vehicle condition has corrosion and under sealed obscuring full view (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 18 Dec 2021 107,367 miles

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

Pass 18 Dec 2020 104,312 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working High level (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 11 Dec 2020 104,302 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working High level (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Front Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

General corrosion all around the vehicle

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

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Bottom bush on linkage (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Dec 2019 98,821 miles
Pass 7 Jan 2019 95,263 miles
Pass 12 Jan 2018 92,929 miles

oil leaks

rear tyres worn 3mm

Pass 15 Feb 2017 88,833 miles
Fail 13 Feb 2017 88,833 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 8 Mar 2016

engine cover fitted

mileage not readable.

oil leaks

surface rust / corrosion in front & rear suspension areas

Fail 7 Mar 2016

Offside Rear Lower coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

engine cover fitted

mileage not readable.

o/s/f bonnet gas strut insecure.

oil leaks

surface rust / corrosion in front & rear suspension areas

Pass 8 Apr 2015 82,663 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Fail 7 Apr 2015 82,663 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

o/s/f bonnet gas strut unit n/w damaged & insecure

oil leaks around engine & gear box areas.

surface rust & corrosion in front & rear suspension areas

Pass 11 Mar 2014 78,983 miles

Oil leak

rear brakes slightly grabbing.

Fail 10 Mar 2014 78,983 miles

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Oil leak

bonnet stay struts n/w.

rear brakes slightly grabbing.

Pass 21 Mar 2013 72,550 miles

n/s/f inner brake pad worn very low.

n/s/r tyre cracked & perished.

o/s/r hand brake out of balance.

Pass 31 Mar 2012 66,318 miles

Rear registration plate delaminated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 31 Mar 2012 66,318 miles

Rear registration plate delaminated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 29 Mar 2011 62,257 miles
Fail 6 Apr 2010 60,969 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

rear number plate poor condition

Pass 6 Apr 2010 60,969 miles

rear number plate poor condition

Pass 6 Apr 2009 56,304 miles
Pass 29 Mar 2008 54,074 miles

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

Pass 28 Mar 2007 52,108 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2007 52,108 miles

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Fail 8 Apr 2006 49,407 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 8 Apr 2006 49,407 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 316?

Based on 1,210,990 MOT tests across 108,989 vehicles.

69.2%
Pass Rate
5,781
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
108,989
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 71,150
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 70,761
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 45,241
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 39,617
parking brake recording little or no effort 33,703
Full BMW 316 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

P119 WAM is a 1997 BMW 316 in Black with a 1,596cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

Across all 1997 BMW 316 models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.3% with a typical mileage of 102,710 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW 316 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 71,150 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P119 WAM, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 316 typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 29 years old, this BMW 316 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P119 WAM?

You can check the full history of P119 WAM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P119 WAM registered?

P119 WAM is a 1997 BMW 316, first registered on 10 June 1997.

Is P119 WAM safe to buy?

The MOT history for P119 WAM shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P119 WAM 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 P119 WAM. 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.