CarVerify

Free Car Check

P170 JSL

1997 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 1895cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 May 2027
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

127,371 mi
Last recorded127,371 miles
Recorded on6 May 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP170 JSL
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1997
ColourBlue
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 11 fail
Pass 6 May 2026 127,371 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Fail 6 May 2026 127,364 miles

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Pass 4 Apr 2025 126,887 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

fuel pipes rusty

Fail 2 Apr 2025 126,887 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill panel (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Sub-frame attachment bracket/mounting fractured (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

fuel pipes rusty

Pass 9 Apr 2024 125,486 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 27 Mar 2024 125,486 miles

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

Offside Rear Inner Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 22 Mar 2023 123,998 miles

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

both inner sills rusty

front and rear suspension rusty

fuel pipes rusty

Pass 24 Mar 2022 121,576 miles

engine oil leak

front suspension rusty

fuel pipes rusty

rear suspension rusty

Pass 1 Apr 2021 119,860 miles

Coolant leak ()

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

front suspension rusty

fuel pipes rusty

rear suspension rusty

Pass 3 May 2019 118,315 miles

front suspension rusty

fuel pipes rusty

rear suspension very rusty

Pass 9 May 2018 117,236 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Oil leak Engine ()

Fail 26 Apr 2018 117,236 miles

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Oil leak Engine ()

Pass 5 Jul 2017 115,097 miles

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated offside/nearside perished (3.6.B.4d)

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules offside/nearside (3.6.B.4e)

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside/nearside (2.4.A.3)

floor/sill corroded at all 4 jacking points

Fail 3 Jul 2017 115,084 miles

Offside front brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated offside/nearside perished (3.6.B.4d)

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules offside/nearside (3.6.B.4e)

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside/nearside (2.4.A.3)

floor/sill corroded at all 4 jacking points

Pass 22 Jun 2016 110,727 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Fail 22 Jun 2016 110,727 miles

Offside Rear brake caliper securing device missing (3.5.1j)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Pass 27 Jul 2015 109,403 miles

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

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

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

Fail 24 Jul 2015 109,403 miles

Nearside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

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

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

Pass 18 Jul 2014 107,080 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 23 Jul 2013 104,739 miles

both outer door sills corroding

Fail 23 Jul 2013 104,739 miles

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 27 Jul 2012 103,303 miles

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

Pass 27 Aug 2011 99,669 miles

nearside rear handbrake effort slightly low

Pass 28 Aug 2010 94,796 miles
Fail 28 Aug 2010 94,796 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

front suspension parts in rusty condition

one of hi level brake light bulbs not working

some wear to front discs

Pass 21 Aug 2009 89,519 miles

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

Pass 30 Aug 2008 84,351 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 4 Aug 2007 79,822 miles
Fail 4 Aug 2007 79,822 miles

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

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

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

Pass 2 Aug 2006 76,966 miles
Fail 1 Aug 2006 76,966 miles

Front Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

P170 JSL is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 P170 JSL, 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 P170 JSL?

You can check the full history of P170 JSL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P170 JSL registered?

P170 JSL is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 18 April 1997.

Is P170 JSL safe to buy?

The MOT history for P170 JSL shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P170 JSL 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 P170 JSL. 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.