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P278 RBJ

1997 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires7 Jul 2022
Tests27 (16 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate59.3%

Mileage

140,478 mi
Last recorded140,478 miles
Recorded on12 Jan 2023
Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP278 RBJ
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

16 pass 11 fail
Fail 12 Jan 2023 140,478 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Outer Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Pass 8 Jul 2021 137,645 miles

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

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

underside of rear of car showing signs of corrosion

Pass 13 May 2020 135,092 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Fail 13 May 2020 135,092 miles

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

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Pass 17 May 2019 133,660 miles

Brake fluid close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

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

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

Fail 7 May 2019 133,576 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Brake fluid close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

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

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

Pass 10 May 2018 129,667 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

front tyres wearing on inner edge

slight exhaust leak on front pipe

Fail 30 Apr 2018 129,647 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded both mains (3.6.B.2c)

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

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside 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)

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

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

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

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

front tyres wearing on inner edge

slight exhaust leak on front pipe

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 10 Apr 2017 125,068 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 1.6 /inner edge worn (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak engine ()

Fail 3 Apr 2017 124,936 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 1.6 /inner edge worn (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2mm (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak engine ()

Pass 4 Mar 2016 117,611 miles
Fail 4 Mar 2016 117,611 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive cat (7.3.D.4)

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

Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 10 Mar 2015 106,077 miles

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 6 Mar 2014 101,580 miles
Pass 8 Mar 2013 96,088 miles
Fail 7 Mar 2013 96,088 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Pass 24 Jan 2012 90,649 miles
Pass 15 Feb 2011 89,514 miles

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

Fail 14 Feb 2011 89,514 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 16 Apr 2010 87,922 miles

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Fail 16 Apr 2010 87,922 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Pass 23 Feb 2009 86,489 miles
Pass 27 Mar 2008 80,080 miles
Fail 20 Mar 2007 74,521 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Pass 20 Mar 2007 74,521 miles
Pass 23 Mar 2006 69,853 miles
Fail 22 Mar 2006 69,853 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

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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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

P278 RBJ is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.3%.

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 P278 RBJ, 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 P278 RBJ?

You can check the full history of P278 RBJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P278 RBJ registered?

P278 RBJ is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 11 April 1997.

Is P278 RBJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for P278 RBJ shows 27 tests with a 59.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P278 RBJ 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 P278 RBJ. 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.