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P542 PLM

1997 BMW Z3

Silver Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Nov 2026
Tests26 (16 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate61.5%

Mileage

85,814 mi
Last recorded85,814 miles
Recorded on15 Nov 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

RegistrationP542 PLM
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

16 pass 10 fail
Pass 15 Nov 2025 85,814 miles

Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play both side (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect both side (5.3.2 (d))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 15 Nov 2025 85,814 miles

Front Headlamp lens seriously defective both side (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

Obligatory mirror missing (3.3 (a))

Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play both side (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect both side (5.3.2 (d))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 22 Sep 2023 84,180 miles

Nearside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 20 Sep 2023 84,180 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

Nearside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 2 Jul 2022 82,264 miles

Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play both (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 2 Jul 2022 82,264 miles

Nearside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Pass 2 Jun 2021 82,056 miles

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

Fail 29 May 2021 82,056 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 May 2020 81,298 miles

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

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

Nearside Front steering arm rusty

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

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

Offside Front steering arm rusty

Fail 22 May 2020 81,297 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front steering arm rusty

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

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

Offside Front steering arm rusty

Pass 24 Oct 2017 80,930 miles

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

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

Fail 13 Oct 2017 80,926 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

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

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

Pass 3 May 2016 80,797 miles

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

Fail 13 Apr 2016 80,008 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

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

Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)

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

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

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

gear box oil leak

rear exhaust box deteriorated

Fail 1 Oct 2015 79,662 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Exhaust corroded

Front flexible brake hoses perished

Front lower suspension arm rear bushes slight play

Nearside outer sill damaged

Offside rear tyre worn and perished

Rear fog light switch sticky

Pass 28 Apr 2015 79,635 miles
Pass 11 May 2012 78,147 miles
Pass 7 Oct 2011 77,317 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

o/s/r tyre worn inner edge + perished

Pass 8 Sep 2010 69,845 miles

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

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

Pass 15 Sep 2009 63,628 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2009 63,618 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Jul 2008 57,239 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 22 Jul 2008 57,239 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 6 Aug 2007 51,665 miles
Pass 23 May 2007 50,670 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2006 45,695 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

P542 PLM is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Silver with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.5%.

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 P542 PLM, 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 P542 PLM?

You can check the full history of P542 PLM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P542 PLM registered?

P542 PLM is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P542 PLM safe to buy?

The MOT history for P542 PLM shows 26 tests with a 61.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P542 PLM 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 P542 PLM. 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.