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P55 JUL

1997 BMW Z3

Red Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires8 May 2026
Tests34 (19 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate55.9%

Mileage

120,720 mi
Last recorded120,720 miles
Recorded on12 Aug 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP55 JUL
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1997
ColourRed
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

19 pass 15 fail
Fail 12 Aug 2026 120,720 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear suspension components heavily undersealed

Fail 28 Apr 2026 120,658 miles

Central Front Obligatory mirror missing (3.3 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Sill. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Sill. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Sill. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 7 May 2025 118,196 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 29 Apr 2024 116,870 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2023 114,708 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 18 Apr 2023 114,707 miles

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 May 2022 112,539 miles

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

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

Front Exhaust silencer slightly loose (8.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 28 Apr 2022 112,539 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Front Exhaust silencer slightly loose (8.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 17 Mar 2021 110,697 miles

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

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

Rear suspension & subframe corroded

Fail 16 Mar 2021 110,697 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Side repeater insecure (4.4.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Rear suspension & subframe corroded

Pass 25 Apr 2019 109,424 miles

Front both shocks starting to corrode

Nearside Front tyre cracking and perishing

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre not repairable

all 4 coil springs corroded

Fail 11 Apr 2019 109,420 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (rear) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Oil leaking excessively from transmission differential seal /shaft (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (rear) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded from joiner block (1.1.11 (c))

Front both shocks starting to corrode

Nearside Front tyre cracking and perishing

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre not repairable

all 4 coil springs corroded

Pass 23 Mar 2018 106,803 miles

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

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

Fail 22 Mar 2018 106,802 miles

Emissions not tested (7.3.A.1)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

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

Pass 14 Mar 2017 106,084 miles

Front and rear suspension components corroding not to excess

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

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

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Front and rear (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Front and rear (2.4.G.1)

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 14 Mar 2017 106,080 miles

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

Front and rear suspension components corroding not to excess

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

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

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Front and rear (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Front and rear (2.4.G.1)

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 14 Oct 2015 103,981 miles

N/S/F AND O/S/F INNER RACK JOINTS WORN NEAR TO LIMIT. WIPERS SPLIT.

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

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

OIL AND WATER LEAKS.

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

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

VEHICLE/SUSPENSION/SUBFRAMES/BRAKE PIPES/ FRONT BRAKE DISCS/FUEL TANK STRAPS CORRODING.

Fail 13 Oct 2015 103,975 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)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded OUTER SILL. (2.4.A.3)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

N/S/F AND O/S/F INNER RACK JOINTS WORN NEAR TO LIMIT. WIPERS SPLIT.

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

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

OIL AND WATER LEAKS.

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

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

VEHICLE/SUSPENSION/SUBFRAMES/BRAKE PIPES/ FRONT BRAKE DISCS/FUEL TANK STRAPS CORRODING.

Pass 27 Oct 2014 101,305 miles

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

Nearside Front 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)

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

VEHICLE/SUSPENSION/SUBFRAMES/BRAKE PIPES/FRONT BRAKE DISCS CORRODING.

Fail 23 Oct 2014 101,304 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

Nail in offside rear tyre

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

Nearside Front 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)

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

VEHICLE/SUSPENSION/SUBFRAMES/BRAKE PIPES/FRONT BRAKE DISCS CORRODING.

Pass 4 Oct 2013 99,363 miles

Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Fail 24 Sep 2013 99,363 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

Emissions not tested (7.0)

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

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

Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Oct 2012 96,484 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

vehicle/suspension/subframes/rear brake pipes/all brake discs corroding.n/s/r parking brake effort reduced.

Fail 24 Oct 2012 96,484 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)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

vehicle/suspension/subframes/rear brake pipes/all brake discs corroding.n/s/r parking brake effort reduced.

Pass 25 Oct 2011 94,412 miles

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

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

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

VEHICLE/SUSPENSION/SUBFRAMES/BRAKE PIPES/EXHAUST/REAR BRAKE DISCS CORRODING.

Fail 24 Oct 2011 94,412 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) insecure (3.5.1g) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

VEHICLE/SUSPENSION/SUBFRAMES/BRAKE PIPES/EXHAUST/REAR BRAKE DISCS CORRODING.

Pass 4 Oct 2010 91,652 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VEHICLE /SUSPENSION/REAR BRAKE PIPES/SUBFRAMES/REAR DISCS/ENTIRE EXHAUST CORRODING.

Fail 1 Oct 2010 91,652 miles

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

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VEHICLE /SUSPENSION/REAR BRAKE PIPES/SUBFRAMES/REAR DISCS/ENTIRE EXHAUST CORRODING.

Pass 7 Oct 2009 88,729 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

REAR BRAKE DISCS PITTING/CORRODING.VEHICLE/SUSPENSION CORRODING.

Pass 3 Oct 2008 85,498 miles

CORROSION AFFECTING VEHICLE STRUCTURE , REAR BRAKE PIPES AND ALL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS/BRAKE DISCS.

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

MODERATE PLAY AFFECTING FRONT BALL JOINTS AND INNER RACK JOINTS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2007 81,117 miles

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

REAR BRAKE DISCS CORRODING.

Pass 21 Sep 2006 75,352 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2006 75,352 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 15 Sep 2005 68,127 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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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

P55 JUL is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Red with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.9%.

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 P55 JUL, 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 P55 JUL?

You can check the full history of P55 JUL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P55 JUL registered?

P55 JUL is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 22 April 1997.

Is P55 JUL safe to buy?

The MOT history for P55 JUL shows 34 tests with a 55.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P55 JUL 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 P55 JUL. 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.