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P491 PVU

1997 BMW Z3

Silver Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Dec 2026
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

83,792 mi
Last recorded83,792 miles
Recorded on6 Dec 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
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP491 PVU
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 8 fail
Pass 6 Dec 2025 83,792 miles
Pass 7 Dec 2024 81,022 miles

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

Pass 8 Dec 2023 78,913 miles

Brake cable damaged but not to excess parking brake (1.1.15 (a))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened mounting bracket (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened mounting bracket (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 20 Dec 2022 77,601 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Fail 20 Dec 2022 77,601 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Fail 4 Oct 2022 77,509 miles

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

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

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

Exhaust Back Box Corroded

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 5 Oct 2021 76,708 miles

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

exhaust back box skin peeling

Fail 5 Oct 2021 76,708 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

exhaust back box skin peeling

Pass 7 Oct 2020 76,060 miles

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

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

exhaust back box skin peeling.

Pass 7 Oct 2019 75,114 miles

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

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

exhaust back box skin peeling and corroded.

osr lower suspension corroded.

Fail 7 Oct 2019 75,114 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

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

exhaust back box skin peeling and corroded.

osr lower suspension corroded.

Pass 10 Oct 2018 74,115 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Tyre Has Age Relating Cracks (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre Has Age Relating Cracks

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Tyre Has Age Relating Cracks (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Rear Tyre Has Age Relating Cracks

Pass 10 Oct 2017 72,775 miles

Nearside Front Tyre Has Age Relating Cracks

Nearside Rear Tyre Has Age Relating Cracks

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

Offside Front Tyre Has Age Relating Cracks

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Tyre Has Age Relating Cracks

Fail 6 Oct 2017 72,773 miles

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

Offside 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)

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

Offside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

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

Nearside Front Tyre Has Age Relating Cracks

Nearside Rear Tyre Has Age Relating Cracks

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

Offside Front Tyre Has Age Relating Cracks

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Tyre Has Age Relating Cracks

Oil leak ()

Pass 10 Oct 2016 71,679 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre sidewalls worn

Nearside Rear Tyre sidewalls worn

Offside Front Tyre sidewalls worn

Offside Front Wing mirror loose. Still secure

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

Offside Rear Tyre sidewalls worn

Oil leak ()

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

Pass 8 Oct 2015 70,421 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

slight oil leak.

Pass 9 Oct 2014 69,063 miles

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

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Wipers Judder On Screen Slightly

Pass 3 Oct 2013 67,521 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

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

n/s/f fog lamp lense cracked

wipers smeering slightly

Pass 11 Oct 2012 65,805 miles

Exhaust back box slight corroded

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

Pass 29 Sep 2011 63,850 miles

rear brake pads worn low

rear exhaust corroded

rear steel brake pipes corroded

Fail 29 Sep 2011 63,850 miles

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

rear brake pads worn low

rear exhaust corroded

rear steel brake pipes corroded

Pass 7 Oct 2010 62,205 miles

rear brake pads worn low

rear exhaust corroded

Fail 7 Oct 2010 62,205 miles

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

rear brake pads worn low

rear exhaust corroded

Pass 5 Oct 2009 60,510 miles
Pass 3 Oct 2008 57,427 miles

rear exhaust corroded

Pass 9 Oct 2007 56,593 miles
Fail 3 Oct 2007 56,484 miles

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

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

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

Offside Obligatory mirror insecure (8.1.1)

rear brake pads worn low

rear exhaust corroded

Pass 10 Oct 2006 49,571 miles
Pass 10 Oct 2005 45,621 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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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

P491 PVU is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Silver with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

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 P491 PVU, 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 P491 PVU?

You can check the full history of P491 PVU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P491 PVU registered?

P491 PVU is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 15 April 1997.

Is P491 PVU safe to buy?

The MOT history for P491 PVU shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P491 PVU 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 P491 PVU. 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.