CarVerify

Free Car Check

P142 RFA

1997 BMW M3

Purple Petrol 3201cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Oct 2026
Tests23 (15 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate65.2%

Mileage

118,597 mi
Last recorded118,597 miles
Recorded on2 Oct 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW M396,985 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

RegistrationP142 RFA
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1997
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

15 pass 8 fail
Pass 2 Oct 2025 118,597 miles

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

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

Pass 15 Aug 2023 115,789 miles

Front both front closing panel on front of outer sills corroded and holed

Fuel Pipe/s corroded main fuel pipes corroded ()

Fail 7 Aug 2023 115,788 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Power steering pipe/hose leaking pipe from pump to tank leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively twisted (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Front both front closing panel on front of outer sills corroded and holed

Fuel Pipe/s corroded main fuel pipes corroded ()

Fail 8 Feb 2023 115,747 miles

Front Power steering pipe/hose excessively corroded power steering fluid pipes on rack corroded and leaking (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively twisted (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Drive shaft securing bolt loose inner flange bolts loose (6.1.7 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush top washer damaged and split (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Floor excessively deteriorated floor to inner sill holed (6.2.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front small hole in inner sill to floor panel

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge tyre tread low 2mm (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 27 Aug 2021 113,205 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn trailing arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn trailing arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Sep 2017 109,593 miles
Pass 17 Dec 2016 108,191 miles

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

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

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

Pass 22 Dec 2015 107,796 miles

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

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

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

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

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

nearside rear shock absorber piston corroding and bump stop deteriorated

Pass 19 Dec 2014 106,044 miles

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 17 Dec 2014 106,044 miles

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 10 Oct 2013 100,821 miles

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

tops of rear shock absorbers corroding and bump stops breaking up

Pass 19 Oct 2012 99,010 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 9 Oct 2012 99,008 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 6 Oct 2011 96,144 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 6 Oct 2011 96,144 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Pass 12 Jul 2010 93,379 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 12 Jul 2010 93,379 miles

Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 7 Jul 2009 88,104 miles

Nail in nearside front tyre

Fail 7 Jul 2009 88,104 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nail in nearside front tyre

Pass 8 Jul 2008 83,873 miles
Fail 4 Jul 2008 83,873 miles

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

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

Pass 28 Jun 2007 78,057 miles

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

Pass 6 Jul 2006 71,175 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

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

P142 RFA is a 1997 BMW M3 in Purple with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.2%.

Across all 1997 BMW M3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.9% with a typical mileage of 96,985 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 P142 RFA, 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 29 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 P142 RFA?

You can check the full history of P142 RFA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P142 RFA registered?

P142 RFA is a 1997 BMW M3, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P142 RFA safe to buy?

The MOT history for P142 RFA shows 23 tests with a 65.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P142 RFA 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 P142 RFA. 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.