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P551 PLN

1997 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Jan 2027
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

122,360 mi
Last recorded122,360 miles
Recorded on15 Jan 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP551 PLN
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

20 pass 12 fail
Pass 15 Jan 2026 122,360 miles

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both to flexi (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

all mechanical components corroded and been painted

Fail 12 Jan 2026 122,358 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both to flexi (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

all mechanical components corroded and been painted

Pass 25 Jan 2025 121,018 miles

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to flexi (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded and offside rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened and been painted (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

all suspension components corroded and underside been painted

Pass 17 Oct 2023 120,156 miles

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to flexi (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

all suspension components corroded

outer metal sill covers corroded

underside been painted

Pass 26 Jul 2022 118,774 miles
Fail 18 Jul 2022 118,767 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Jun 2021 117,073 miles

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 18 Jun 2020 116,509 miles
Pass 17 Jul 2019 115,196 miles

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

Rear Slight corrosion to rear suspension arms - both

Pass 23 Apr 2019 114,592 miles

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

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

Fail 23 Apr 2019 114,592 miles

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

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

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

Pass 9 May 2018 112,252 miles

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

Fail 30 Apr 2018 112,252 miles

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

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

Fail 28 Jul 2017 112,244 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

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

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Pass 10 Mar 2016 111,048 miles
Pass 11 Mar 2015 108,397 miles

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

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

Fail 9 Mar 2015 108,335 miles

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

Pass 1 Mar 2014 105,056 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear exhaust silencer corroded

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 1 Mar 2014 105,056 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear exhaust silencer corroded

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 5 Mar 2013 100,007 miles

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

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

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

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

rear exhaust deteriorated

Fail 28 Feb 2013 100,007 miles

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

rear exhaust deteriorated

Pass 27 Feb 2012 96,503 miles
Pass 12 Mar 2011 94,805 miles

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

Fail 11 Mar 2011 94,805 miles

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

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

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

Pass 28 May 2010 93,465 miles

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

slight play o/s of steering rack

Fail 28 May 2010 93,461 miles

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

Brake master cylinder fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1e)

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

slight play o/s of steering rack

Pass 29 May 2009 91,215 miles
Pass 2 May 2008 88,638 miles

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Fail 1 May 2008 88,638 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 10 May 2007 86,087 miles
Fail 9 May 2007 86,087 miles

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

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

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

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

brake fluid level on minimum. †wear/play to steering rack at knucles. †middle & rear exhaust sections corroding. †n/s & o/s front lower balljoints/bonding worn/play.

Pass 8 May 2006 83,343 miles

Offside Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

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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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

P551 PLN is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 P551 PLN, 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 P551 PLN?

You can check the full history of P551 PLN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P551 PLN registered?

P551 PLN is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 26 March 1997.

Is P551 PLN safe to buy?

The MOT history for P551 PLN shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P551 PLN 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 P551 PLN. 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.