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P231 UHW

1997 BMW 316

Red Petrol 1596cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Jun 2027
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

87,561 mi
Last recorded87,561 miles
Recorded on3 Jun 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 316102,710 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP231 UHW
MakeBMW
Model316
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,596cc
View full BMW 316 reliability data Browse other 1997 BMW 316 registrations

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 3 Jun 2026 87,561 miles

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

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

Fail 1 Jun 2026 87,561 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

Pass 23 May 2025 85,284 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 pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

front under vehicle brace corroded

Fail 23 May 2025 85,284 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

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

front under vehicle brace corroded

Pass 23 May 2024 83,756 miles

Front under vehicle support bar corroded

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

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

Nearside Rear Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material greased (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 23 May 2024 83,756 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle 39% (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Front under vehicle support bar corroded

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

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

Nearside Rear Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material greased (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 18 May 2023 81,587 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 24 May 2022 80,274 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. 28% (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 23 May 2022 80,274 miles

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

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. 28% (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Jun 2021 77,570 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 May 2020 75,776 miles

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

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear at rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear at rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

slight weep from power steering pipe on pump

Pass 3 Jun 2019 70,368 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 28 May 2019 70,368 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Jul 2017 58,910 miles

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

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

Pass 19 Apr 2016 46,899 miles

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

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

Fail 18 Apr 2016 46,899 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 14 Nov 2014 30,889 miles
Pass 17 Feb 2014 30,584 miles

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

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

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

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Fail 14 Feb 2014 30,584 miles

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

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

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

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

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 14 Feb 2013 29,904 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Pass 24 Feb 2012 29,159 miles

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

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

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Pass 17 Feb 2011 28,154 miles
Pass 22 Feb 2010 27,415 miles

rear brake pipes slightly corroded

rear ehaust silencer slightly corroded

Fail 22 Feb 2010 27,415 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

rear brake pipes slightly corroded

rear ehaust silencer slightly corroded

Pass 24 Feb 2009 26,444 miles

Oil leak

Pass 21 Feb 2008 25,054 miles
Fail 21 Feb 2008 25,054 miles

Offside Rear Tyre(s) incorrect because tyres with different aspect ratios are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

Pass 21 Feb 2007 23,075 miles
Pass 23 Feb 2006 21,398 miles

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

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

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P231 UHW is a 1997 BMW 316 in Red 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 P231 UHW, 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 P231 UHW?

You can check the full history of P231 UHW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P231 UHW registered?

P231 UHW is a 1997 BMW 316, first registered on 20 February 1997.

Is P231 UHW safe to buy?

The MOT history for P231 UHW 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 P231 UHW 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 P231 UHW. 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.