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P281 LBA

1997 BMW Z3

Silver Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires24 Jul 2026
Tests28 (21 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

96,530 mi
Last recorded96,530 miles
Recorded on25 Jul 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP281 LBA
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1997
ColourSilver
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

21 pass 7 fail
Pass 25 Jul 2025 96,530 miles

Offside Front floor corner/sill corroded

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

brake pedle travel

Pass 10 Apr 2024 95,886 miles

Offside Front floor corner/sill corroded

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

both rear sill covers corroded

both rear subframe brackets corroded

brake pedal travel

off side parking brake performance low=attention required

under tray bracket fouling on lambda sensor

Pass 8 Jun 2022 95,756 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fail 6 Jun 2022 95,753 miles

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 default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 27 May 2021 95,173 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 27 May 2021 95,173 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 5 Jun 2020 94,705 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 3 Jun 2020 94,705 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

engine breather pipe split

Pass 23 May 2019 94,094 miles

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases collar joint (6.1.2 (a))

Rear exhaust contacting under body

o/s & n/s headlamps deteriorated

Pass 1 Jun 2018 93,583 miles

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

Fail 31 May 2018 93,581 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases joint (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Pass 1 Jun 2017 93,028 miles

Oil leak ()

Pass 19 May 2016 91,534 miles

oil leak

Pass 3 Jun 2015 90,709 miles
Pass 31 May 2014 90,392 miles

Slight oil leak from timing chain cover gasket

Fail 30 May 2014 90,392 miles

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)

Catalitic converter breaking up internaly

Front wipers smearing

Oil leak from bottom of engine

One bulb in centre brake light cluster not working

Slight oil leak from timing chain cover gasket

Fail 3 Jun 2013 89,671 miles

Front tyres wearing on inner edge

Gearbox has oil leak

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

Oil leak

Pass 3 Jun 2013 89,671 miles

Front tyres wearing on inner edge

Gearbox has oil leak

Oil leak

Pass 6 Jun 2012 88,360 miles
Fail 6 Jun 2012 88,360 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 21 May 2012 88,341 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2011 83,928 miles
Pass 30 Apr 2010 80,055 miles
Pass 9 Mar 2010 79,616 miles
Pass 24 Mar 2009 75,398 miles
Pass 20 Aug 2007 69,532 miles
Pass 6 Sep 2006 66,377 miles
Pass 16 Aug 2006 65,899 miles

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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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.

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P281 LBA is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Silver with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 P281 LBA, 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 P281 LBA?

You can check the full history of P281 LBA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P281 LBA registered?

P281 LBA is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P281 LBA safe to buy?

The MOT history for P281 LBA shows 28 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P281 LBA 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 P281 LBA. 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.