CarVerify

Free Car Check

P550 LBA

1997 BMW Z3

Black Petrol 1895cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires10 Aug 2022
Tests29 (16 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate55.2%

Mileage

139,608 mi
Last recorded139,608 miles
Recorded on11 Aug 2023
Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP550 LBA
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1997
ColourBlack
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 13 fail
Fail 11 Aug 2023 139,608 miles

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

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

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 11 Aug 2021 138,990 miles

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

Pass 9 Oct 2020 13,569 miles

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

Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both sides (5.3.2 (c))

Fail 26 Sep 2020 13,559 miles

Offside Rear Suspension component attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened beam bracket (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both sides (5.3.2 (c))

Pass 8 Apr 2019 131,691 miles

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

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

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 9 Apr 2018 129,246 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement beam (2.4.G.2)

Fail 7 Apr 2018 129,230 miles

Offside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement beam (2.4.G.2)

Pass 3 Apr 2017 127,309 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 29 Mar 2017 127,254 miles

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

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

brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Pass 2 Apr 2016 123,869 miles

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

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

Pass 9 Apr 2015 119,679 miles

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

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

Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

hand brake outer sheafs split

Fail 2 Apr 2015 119,468 miles

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

hand brake outer sheafs split

Pass 31 Mar 2014 113,854 miles

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

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

Fail 31 Mar 2014 113,854 miles

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)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Pass 10 Apr 2013 107,556 miles

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

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)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame attachment slightly corroded (2.4.G.1)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 8 Apr 2013 107,556 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame attachment slightly corroded (2.4.G.1)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

nearside front fog light not working

Pass 12 Apr 2012 101,689 miles

Battery insecure.

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

Exhaust slightly deteriorated.

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Offside rear tyre smooth on inner edge.

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Washers poor.

Fail 8 Mar 2012 101,685 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

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

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

Battery insecure.

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

Exhaust slightly deteriorated.

Front windscreen washers poor.

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Offside rear tyre smooth on inner edge.

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 5 Jul 2011 101,136 miles
Fail 29 Jun 2011 101,136 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Pass 9 Apr 2010 86,151 miles
Fail 9 Apr 2010 86,151 miles

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

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

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

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

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

Pass 23 Dec 2008 80,679 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

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

Pass 7 Apr 2008 75,748 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

Pass 17 Jan 2007 73,086 miles

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

Oil leak

condition of light switch

Fail 15 Jan 2007 73,060 miles

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

Condition of light switch

Engine oil leak

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

Fail 13 Jan 2007 73,027 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 hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Condition of light switch

Engine oil leak

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

Pass 12 Jan 2006 64,874 miles
Fail 7 Jan 2006 64,874 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

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

P550 LBA is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Black with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.2%.

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 P550 LBA, 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 P550 LBA?

You can check the full history of P550 LBA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P550 LBA registered?

P550 LBA is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 1 May 1997.

Is P550 LBA safe to buy?

The MOT history for P550 LBA shows 29 tests with a 55.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P550 LBA 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 P550 LBA. 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.