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P492 PLR

1997 BMW Z3

Black Petrol 1895cc

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MOT Status

Valid

Expires26 Feb 2027

Tests31 (21 pass, 10 fail)

Pass rate67.7%

Mileage

147,327 mi

Last recorded147,327 miles

Recorded on30 Jan 2026

Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Finance Outstanding finance owed?

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP492 PLR

MakeBMW

ModelZ3

Year1997

ColourBlack

Fuel typePetrol

Engine1,895cc

View full BMW Z3 reliability data Browse other 1997 BMW Z3 registrations

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 10 fail

Pass 30 Jan 2026 147,327 miles

Front And Rear Suspension Components Corroded

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

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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 Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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))

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 30 Jan 2026 147,327 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

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))

Front And Rear Suspension Components Corroded

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

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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 Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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))

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 10 Feb 2025 145,250 miles

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

Front And Rear Suspension Components Corroded

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

General Corrosion To Underside Of Vehicle

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

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

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 Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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))

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 7 Feb 2025 145,248 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed Perished To Cords (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed Perished To Cords (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front And Rear Suspension Components Corroded

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

General Corrosion To Underside Of Vehicle

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

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

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 Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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))

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 1 Feb 2024 144,249 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fuel Pipes Corroded

General Corrosion To Underside Of Vehicle

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Suspension Components Corroded

Fail 1 Feb 2024 144,249 miles

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

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Fuel Pipes Corroded

General Corrosion To Underside Of Vehicle

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Suspension Components Corroded

Pass 27 Feb 2023 142,892 miles

Front And Rear Suspension Components Corroded

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

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

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

General Corrosion To Underside Of vehicle

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 7 Apr 2022 141,166 miles

All Suspension Components Corroded

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

General Surface Corrosion To Underside Of Vehicle

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Fail 26 Mar 2022 141,153 miles

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

All Suspension Components Corroded

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

General Surface Corrosion To Underside Of Vehicle

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Pass 8 Apr 2021 139,600 miles

Fail 2 Mar 2021 139,586 miles

Front Headlamp has a product on the light source which changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength front axle mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength front axle mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 9 Mar 2020 138,807 miles

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both (4.1.4 (b))

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule all (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Fail 2 Mar 2020 138,807 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame attachment bracket/mounting likely to become detached (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both (4.1.4 (b))

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule all (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Pass 11 Mar 2019 135,647 miles

Fail 7 Mar 2019 135,647 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 8 Mar 2018 137,070 miles

Fail 8 Mar 2018 137,070 miles

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

Pass 7 Mar 2017 130,876 miles

Pass 4 Mar 2016 127,448 miles

Fail 1 Mar 2016 127,448 miles

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

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

Pass 2 Mar 2015 121,201 miles

Pass 5 Mar 2014 109,839 miles

Fail 4 Mar 2014 109,839 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 6 Mar 2013 96,596 miles

Pass 7 Mar 2012 91,695 miles

Pass 12 Mar 2011 84,959 miles

Pass 6 Mar 2010 81,725 miles

Pass 5 Mar 2009 77,119 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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 Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

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

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 3 Mar 2008 66,844 miles

Pass 26 Feb 2007 56,014 miles

Pass 23 Feb 2006 49,307 miles

both rear tyres on legal tread limit.

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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P492 PLR is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Black with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.7%.

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 P492 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 P492 PLR?

You can check the full history of P492 PLR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P492 PLR registered?

P492 PLR is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 12 June 1997.

Is P492 PLR safe to buy?

The MOT history for P492 PLR shows 31 tests with a 67.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P492 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 P492 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.