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P31 PLR

1997 BMW Z3

Silver Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires14 Apr 2026
Tests30 (18 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

89,933 mi
Last recorded89,933 miles
Recorded on15 Apr 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP31 PLR
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

18 pass 12 fail
Pass 15 Apr 2025 89,933 miles
Fail 15 Apr 2025 89,933 miles

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

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))

Pass 13 Aug 2022 88,639 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake back plate corroded

Nearside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess (1.1.15 (a))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake back plate corroded

Offside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess (1.1.15 (a))

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Fail 11 Aug 2022 88,639 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake back plate corroded

Nearside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess (1.1.15 (a))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake back plate corroded

Offside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess (1.1.15 (a))

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Pass 27 Oct 2021 88,027 miles

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases middle section (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Inner 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))

Fail 24 Sep 2021 88,026 miles

Nearside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill adjacent to suspension arm mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Rear Inner 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))

Pass 20 Aug 2020 87,298 miles

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

Offside Front Inner sill corroded but not within 30cm of prescribed areas

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

Fail 10 Aug 2020 87,296 miles

Central Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor corroded within 30cm of inner rear seat mount. (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Inner sill corroded but not within 30cm of prescribed areas

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

Pass 24 Jul 2019 86,538 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2018 86,114 miles

Front Both suspension arms corroded

Front Both track rod ends corroded

Front Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension arms corroded

Fail 25 Jun 2018 86,092 miles

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

Front Power steering pipe/hose excessively corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Front Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front brake hoses cracking

Nearside Front tyre wearing on inside

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

steering track rod ends corroded

Pass 7 Apr 2017 84,980 miles
Pass 24 Mar 2016 83,237 miles

HANDBRAKE CABLES POOR EXTERNAL CONDITION. GENERAL RUSTING TO VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE

Fail 23 Mar 2016 83,237 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage worn and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage worn and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

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

HANDBRAKE CABLES POOR EXTERNAL CONDITION. GENERAL RUSTING TO VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE

Pass 31 Mar 2015 75,591 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

both headlamps have poor beam pattern

offside and nearside rear axle support mount brackets rusted

Fail 26 Mar 2015 75,515 miles

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

both headlamps have poor beam pattern

nearside wiper blade split

offside and nearside rear axle support mount brackets rusted

Pass 28 Mar 2014 68,275 miles

Front of offside sill corroded

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

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside rear brake disc corroded

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

Rear Brake cable has wires broken but is not significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

Slight brake bind offside front

UNEVEN APPLICATION OF FRONT BRAKES

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

OUTER COVER OR REAR EXHAUST BOX LOOSE

Fail 26 Mar 2014 68,270 miles

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Front of offside sill corroded

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside rear brake disc corroded

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

Rear Brake cable has wires broken but is not significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

Slight brake bind offside front

UNEVEN APPLICATION OF FRONT BRAKES

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

OUTER COVER OR REAR EXHAUST BOX LOOSE

Pass 9 Apr 2013 61,904 miles
Pass 24 Feb 2012 53,198 miles

All suspension components corroded

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Mar 2011 45,760 miles
Fail 25 Feb 2011 45,760 miles

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

Pass 23 Apr 2010 43,954 miles

General corrosion evident on all suspension and brake units under vehicle.

Fail 16 Apr 2010 43,951 miles

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

Offside Front suspension has serious deterioration of the bonding between metal and flexible material of an upper support bearing (2.5.B.3a)

General corrosion evident on all suspension and brake units under vehicle.

Pass 21 Apr 2009 42,917 miles

General corrosion evident under vehicle on suspension, steering and metal ferrules on brake hoses.

Fail 7 Apr 2009 42,912 miles

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

General corrosion evident under vehicle on suspension, steering and metal ferrules on brake hoses.

Pass 10 Apr 2008 41,979 miles

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 31 Jan 2007 39,634 miles

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

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

high level brake light bulb out

Pass 28 Jan 2006 37,563 miles
Fail 25 Jan 2006 37,536 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear brake disc excessively 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

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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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

P31 PLR is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Silver with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

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 P31 PLR, 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 P31 PLR?

You can check the full history of P31 PLR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P31 PLR registered?

P31 PLR is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P31 PLR safe to buy?

The MOT history for P31 PLR shows 30 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P31 PLR 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 P31 PLR. 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.