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P538 RNB

1997 BMW Z3

Silver Petrol 1895cc

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MOT Status

Valid

Expires27 Apr 2027

Tests34 (20 pass, 14 fail)

Pass rate58.8%

Mileage

95,142 mi

Last recorded95,142 miles

Recorded on28 Apr 2026

Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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Stolen Is it reported stolen?

Finance Outstanding finance owed?

Write-off Insurance write-off history?

Keepers How many previous owners?

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP538 RNB

MakeBMW

ModelZ3

Year1997

ColourSilver

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

20 pass 14 fail

Pass 28 Apr 2026 95,142 miles

Rear exhaust silencer deteriorating(outer skin)

Fail 27 Apr 2026 95,142 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear exhaust silencer deteriorating(outer skin)

Pass 17 Apr 2025 94,199 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Coil spring corroded n/s and o/s (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 16 Apr 2025 94,199 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Coil spring corroded n/s and o/s (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 22 Apr 2024 93,321 miles

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

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

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

Fail 22 Apr 2024 93,321 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Apr 2023 93,146 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 24 Apr 2023 93,146 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 3 Jun 2021 92,573 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front tyre worn on inner edge

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

Offside Front tyre cracking/splitting on inner sidewall

Offside Front tyre worn on inner edge

Rear exhaust silencer outer skin corroding

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

Fail 3 Jun 2021 92,573 miles

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

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

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front tyre worn on inner edge

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

Offside Front tyre cracking/splitting on inner sidewall

Offside Front tyre worn on inner edge

Rear exhaust silencer outer skin corroding

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

Pass 3 Jun 2020 91,023 miles

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

Front tyres worn on inner edge

Rear exhaust silencer deteriorating

Fail 3 Jun 2020 91,023 miles

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

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

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

Front tyres worn on inner edge

Rear exhaust silencer deteriorating

Pass 26 Mar 2019 90,695 miles

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

Front tyres worn on inner edge

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear exhaust silencer deteriorating

Fail 26 Mar 2019 90,695 miles

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

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

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

Front tyres worn on inner edge

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear exhaust silencer deteriorating

Pass 4 Apr 2018 89,897 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear exhaust deteriorating

Fail 4 Apr 2018 89,897 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear exhaust deteriorating

Pass 24 Mar 2017 89,116 miles

Nearside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

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

Fail 24 Mar 2017 89,116 miles

Nearside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

Offside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

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

Pass 12 Mar 2016 87,043 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

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

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

Offside Front Lower Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Offside Rear tyre cut in inner sidewall

Rear exhaust silencer deteriorating

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

Fail 11 Mar 2016 87,043 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

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

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

Offside Front Lower Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

Offside Rear tyre cut in inner sidewall

Rear exhaust silencer deteriorating

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

Pass 20 Mar 2015 82,930 miles

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

o/s/r tyre cut in inner sidewall

tail silencer deteriorating

Pass 19 Mar 2014 76,678 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

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

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

slight play inner rack joints

tail silencer deteriorating

Pass 20 Mar 2013 72,867 miles

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

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

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

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

tail silencer deteriorating

Pass 16 Mar 2012 71,390 miles

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

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

tail silencer deteriorating

Pass 16 Mar 2011 69,802 miles

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

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

slight play offside and nearside steering rack inner joints

Fail 15 Mar 2011 69,802 miles

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

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

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

slight play offside and nearside steering rack inner joints

Pass 16 Mar 2010 68,690 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

Pass 18 Mar 2009 67,009 miles

Fail 17 Mar 2009 67,009 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Mar 2008 64,061 miles

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

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

exhaust steady bracket corroding

front tyres scrubbing on inner edges

slight play in steering rack ends

Fail 13 Mar 2008 64,061 miles

Nearside Brake cable knotted (3.5.1b)

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

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

exhaust steady bracket corroding

front tyres scrubbing on inner edges

offside handbrake cable starting to knot

slight play in steering rack ends

Pass 2 Mar 2007 55,716 miles

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

Fail 1 Mar 2007 55,716 miles

Nearside front brake grabbing severely (3.7.A.2b)

Offside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

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

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

Pass 3 Mar 2006 49,507 miles

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

How Reliable is the BMW Z3?

Based on 498,063 MOT tests across 26,000 vehicles.

73.2%

Pass Rate

2,128

Miles/Year

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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P538 RNB is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Silver with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.8%.

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 P538 RNB, 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 P538 RNB?

You can check the full history of P538 RNB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P538 RNB registered?

P538 RNB is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P538 RNB safe to buy?

The MOT history for P538 RNB shows 34 tests with a 58.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P538 RNB 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 P538 RNB. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

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