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P521 PLX

1996 BMW M3

Purple Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Jul 2027
Tests34 (21 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate61.8%

Mileage

113,801 mi
Last recorded113,801 miles
Recorded on3 Jul 2026
Typical for 1996 BMW M3100,666 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP521 PLX
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1996
ColourPurple
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,201cc

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 13 fail
Pass 3 Jul 2026 113,801 miles

Coil spring corroded Nearside and Offside Front and Rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Oil leak, but not excessive Rear Diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm 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 Nearside and Offside (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 8 Jul 2025 113,364 miles

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))

Rear differential leaking oil

clutch biting point very low

Fail 30 Jun 2025 113,362 miles

Front Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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))

Rear differential leaking oil

clutch biting point very low

Pass 28 Jun 2024 112,496 miles

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

Fail 28 Jun 2024 112,496 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 28 Jun 2023 111,496 miles
Pass 30 Jun 2022 110,106 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2021 108,933 miles

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

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

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 1 Jul 2020 107,238 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

Fail 30 Jun 2020 107,193 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

Pass 6 Jun 2019 104,953 miles
Fail 5 Jun 2019 104,953 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim so that beam "kick up" is not visible on the screen (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Brake pipe at imminent risk of failure or fracture (1.1.11 (a)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake pipe connection leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Fail 5 Jun 2019 104,953 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim so that beam "kick up" is not visible on the screen (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

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

Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Pass 8 Jun 2018 102,118 miles

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre

Offside Front Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

rbt not carried out due to condition of brake pipes

Fail 4 Jun 2018 102,117 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn outer bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Road wheel badly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded before flexi (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn outer bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe at imminent risk of failure or fracture before flexi (1.1.11 (a)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Wheel bearing so rough it is likely to overheat or break up (5.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre

Offside Front Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

rbt not carried out due to condition of brake pipes

Pass 5 Jul 2017 99,339 miles

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated both, offside and nearside (3.6.B.4d)

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured both, offside and nearside (1.4.A.2f)

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded both, offside and nearside (3.6.B.2c)

Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush both, offside and nearside (2.4.G.2)

rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively both, offside and nearside (3.7.B.3)

Fail 3 Jul 2017 99,322 miles

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated both, offside and nearside (3.6.B.4d)

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured both, offside and nearside (1.4.A.2f)

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded both, offside and nearside (3.6.B.2c)

Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush both, offside and nearside (2.4.G.2)

rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively both, offside and nearside (3.7.B.3)

Pass 30 Jun 2016 96,566 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 30 Jun 2016 96,566 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside rear tyre worn on inner edge

Pass 25 Jun 2015 93,782 miles

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 15 Jun 2015 93,711 miles

Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure (3.3.B.1a)

Indicator switch faulty (1.4.A.1)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 1 Jul 2014 90,107 miles

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

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

Fail 30 Jun 2014 90,071 miles

Nearside Inner Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Inner Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

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

Pass 10 Jun 2013 85,798 miles

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 3 Jul 2012 81,562 miles

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Nearside Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

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

Fail 29 Jun 2012 81,560 miles

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

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Nearside Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

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

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

Pass 11 Jun 2011 77,544 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2010 74,183 miles

nsr tyre side wall cut

Fail 28 Jun 2010 74,182 miles

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

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

nsr tyre side wall cut

Pass 16 Jun 2009 70,841 miles
Fail 9 Jun 2009 70,831 miles

Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Track rod end has had excessive heat applied (2.2.C.1e)

Pass 26 Jun 2008 68,630 miles

nearside front tyre has 2mm tread wearing on inner edge

rear diff oil leak

Pass 21 Jun 2007 65,783 miles
Pass 23 Jun 2006 62,655 miles

How Reliable is the BMW M3?

Based on 440,678 MOT tests across 34,038 vehicles.

80.8%
Pass Rate
3,682
Miles/Year
32
Year Lifespan
34,038
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 14,421
Brake pipe excessively corroded 7,386
coil spring incomplete 5,157
coil spring fractured 4,494
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 3,944
Full BMW M3 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.

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P521 PLX is a 1996 BMW M3 in Purple with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.8%.

Across all 1996 BMW M3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.5% with a typical mileage of 100,666 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 M3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 14,421 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P521 PLX, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW M3 typically stays on UK roads for around 32 years. At 30 years old, this BMW M3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P521 PLX?

You can check the full history of P521 PLX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P521 PLX registered?

P521 PLX is a 1996 BMW M3, first registered on 1 August 1996.

Is P521 PLX safe to buy?

The MOT history for P521 PLX shows 34 tests with a 61.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P521 PLX 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 P521 PLX. 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.