CarVerify

Free Car Check

P385 PVM

1997 BMW 316

Black Petrol 1596cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Apr 2027
Tests27 (18 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

87,826 mi
Last recorded87,826 miles
Recorded on14 Apr 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
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

RegistrationP385 PVM
MakeBMW
Model316
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,596cc

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 9 fail
Pass 14 Apr 2026 87,826 miles

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

Fail 8 Apr 2026 87,826 miles

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 13 Jun 2024 85,812 miles

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

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

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

Pass 27 Jun 2023 80,400 miles

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

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Nearside chip in windshield

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

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

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge bold inner edges (5.2.3 (e))

sun strip fitted

Pass 9 Jun 2022 76,740 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively both sides (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively both sides (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test ()

Pass 6 Mar 2021 73,371 miles
Pass 7 Feb 2018 177,248 miles

Nearside Front tyre worn on edges / devoid of tread on inner edge

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

Fail 1 Feb 2018 177,246 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front tyre worn on edges / devoid of tread on inner edge

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

Pass 1 Feb 2017 169,612 miles

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Oil leak ()

Fail 27 Jan 2017 169,610 miles

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill end (5.2.6)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Oil leak ()

Pass 15 Jun 2016 165,866 miles

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

Fail 3 Jun 2016 165,866 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Pass 8 Jun 2015 162,424 miles

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

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

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

Pass 3 Jun 2014 152,933 miles

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

Oil leak

bonnet struts worn

inbalance on rear brakes

under body fuel pipes corroded

Fail 3 Jun 2014 152,933 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Oil leak

bonnet struts worn

inbalance on rear brakes

under body fuel pipes corroded

Pass 10 Jun 2013 143,375 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak

bonnet struts worn

both rear traying arm bushes cracking

corrision to petrel pipe under body

corrision to rear shocker top mounts

front exhaust bracket broken

slight drag on n/s/r

Fail 10 Jun 2013 143,375 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Oil leak

bonnet struts worn

both rear traying arm bushes cracking

corrision to petrel pipe under body

corrision to rear shocker top mounts

front brake discs worn

front exhaust bracket broken

slight drag on n/s/r

Pass 22 May 2012 136,919 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

bonnet struts

exhaust front pipe bracket damaged

slight missting of oil on power steering bottle and rack

Fail 22 May 2012 136,912 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

bonnet struts

exhaust front pipe bracket damaged

slight missting of oil on power steering bottle and rack

Pass 10 Jun 2011 131,144 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 4 May 2010 124,801 miles

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 4 May 2010 124,798 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 6 May 2009 116,160 miles
Fail 6 May 2009 116,159 miles

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

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

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

Pass 9 Apr 2008 106,053 miles
Pass 4 Apr 2007 96,626 miles
Pass 5 Apr 2006 85,853 miles

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

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

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

exhaust braket front pipe

nail in tyre

slight play boht ball joints

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

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

P385 PVM is a 1997 BMW 316 in Black with a 1,596cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 P385 PVM, 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 P385 PVM?

You can check the full history of P385 PVM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P385 PVM registered?

P385 PVM is a 1997 BMW 316, first registered on 27 March 1997.

Is P385 PVM safe to buy?

The MOT history for P385 PVM shows 27 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P385 PVM 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 P385 PVM. 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.