CarVerify

Free Car Check

P497 AFG

1997 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 1895cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Feb 2027
Tests33 (21 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate63.6%

Mileage

60,487 mi
Last recorded60,487 miles
Recorded on2 Feb 2026
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
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

RegistrationP497 AFG
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1997
ColourBlue
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 12 fail
Pass 2 Feb 2026 60,487 miles
Fail 2 Feb 2026 60,487 miles

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 24 Jan 2025 59,411 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 24 Jan 2025 59,411 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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

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

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

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

Pass 1 Feb 2024 58,200 miles

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

Fail 31 Jan 2024 58,200 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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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 bulge, 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

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

Pass 16 Jan 2023 56,870 miles

Central non obligatory mirror missing

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 10 Feb 2022 55,992 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front 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))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

oil leak

vehicle restricted view

Fail 31 Jan 2022 55,992 miles

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

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

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

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))

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

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

oil leak

vehicle restricted view

Pass 13 Jan 2021 53,342 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

vehicle restricted view

Fail 13 Jan 2021 53,342 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

vehicle restricted view

Pass 29 Jan 2020 51,714 miles

Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel Steering rack has some play. (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Jan 2020 51,714 miles

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel Steering rack has some play. (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Jan 2019 49,657 miles

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

engine under tray

Fail 9 Jan 2019 49,657 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

engine under tray

Pass 30 Jan 2018 47,570 miles

Nearside Front tyre cracking

Offside Front tyre cracking

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

advise closer inspection to nearside outer door handle difficult to open

advise closer inspection to offside outer door handle difficult to open

engine under tray

Pass 26 Jan 2017 45,305 miles
Fail 26 Jan 2017 45,305 miles

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

Pass 28 Jan 2016 42,390 miles

ENGINE UNDER TRAY

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

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

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

Offside SLIGHT PLAY IN SEAT

SLIGHT PLAY IN INNER STEERING JOINT(S

Fail 27 Jan 2016 42,390 miles

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

ENGINE UNDER TRAY

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

Offside SLIGHT PLAY IN SEAT

SLIGHT PLAY IN INNER STEERING JOINT(S

Pass 28 Jan 2015 38,928 miles

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

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

offside seat has slight play

Fail 26 Jan 2015 38,928 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

offside seat has slight play

Pass 29 Jan 2014 35,285 miles

.

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 29 Jan 2014 35,285 miles

.

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 1 Feb 2013 31,923 miles
Fail 17 Jan 2012 27,116 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 17 Jan 2012 27,116 miles
Pass 17 Jan 2011 25,648 miles

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

front tyres cracking up

Pass 27 Jan 2010 24,624 miles

fog light switch faulty

front pads low

engine oil on minimum

slight play on offside front steering rod

Pass 30 Jan 2009 23,583 miles
Pass 30 Jan 2008 22,113 miles
Pass 23 Jan 2007 70,696 miles
Pass 25 Jan 2006 19,718 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

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

P497 AFG is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.6%.

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 P497 AFG, 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 P497 AFG?

You can check the full history of P497 AFG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P497 AFG registered?

P497 AFG is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 10 May 1997.

Is P497 AFG safe to buy?

The MOT history for P497 AFG shows 33 tests with a 63.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P497 AFG 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 P497 AFG. 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.