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P5 TAU

1998 BMW 316

Green Petrol 1596cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 May 2027
Tests22 (15 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate68.2%

Mileage

139,083 mi
Last recorded139,083 miles
Recorded on15 May 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW 31698,622 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP5 TAU
MakeBMW
Model316
Year1998
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,596cc

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

15 pass 7 fail
Pass 15 May 2026 139,083 miles

Front Upper Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened Both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded Front to back

Nearside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Nail in tyre

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive Differential (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 23 Apr 2026 139,078 miles

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Coolant leak

Front Upper Macpherson strut mounting corroded but not seriously weakened Both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Outer Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Oil level below minimum

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

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

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

Pass 28 Feb 2025 133,954 miles

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

Fuel lines corroded

Fuel tank straps corroded

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

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

Nearside Front Engine mounting damaged but not to excess (6.1.8 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Engine mounting damaged but not to excess (6.1.8 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded All pipes (2.1.5 (g) (i))

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

Rear differential casing and mounting cradle heavily corroded and bushes worn

Fail 24 Feb 2025 133,951 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users Coolant (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Fuel lines corroded

Fuel tank straps corroded

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

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

Nearside Front Engine mounting damaged but not to excess (6.1.8 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Engine mounting damaged but not to excess (6.1.8 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut mounting corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded All pipes (2.1.5 (g) (i))

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

Rear differential casing and mounting cradle heavily corroded and bushes worn

Pass 12 Dec 2018 133,657 miles

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Both headlamps wet inside on glass. (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

Pass 13 Dec 2017 70,161 miles

Oil leak

Fail 12 Dec 2017 130,591 miles

Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

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

Oil leak

Pass 12 Dec 2016 127,115 miles

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Fail 12 Dec 2016 127,115 miles

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

Heat shield above exhaust loose.

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Pass 10 Dec 2015 123,616 miles

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

Fail 9 Dec 2015 123,616 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

Pass 13 Dec 2014 118,387 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Pass 30 Sep 2013 108,585 miles

Rear Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Fail 30 Sep 2013 108,562 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

Rear Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

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

Pass 2 Oct 2012 102,407 miles

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing (2.7.2a)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 8 Aug 2011 96,398 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2010 91,034 miles

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

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

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

Pass 17 Aug 2009 83,193 miles
Fail 14 Aug 2009 83,193 miles

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

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

Pass 12 Aug 2008 75,628 miles
Pass 3 May 2007 68,365 miles

Exhaust heat shield insecure

Rear differential slightly leaking

Pass 24 Jul 2006 64,078 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 316?

Based on 1,210,990 MOT tests across 108,989 vehicles.

69.2%
Pass Rate
5,781
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
108,989
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 71,150
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 70,761
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 45,241
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 39,617
parking brake recording little or no effort 33,703
Full BMW 316 reliability report

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P5 TAU is a 1998 BMW 316 in Green with a 1,596cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68.2%.

Across all 1998 BMW 316 models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.1% with a typical mileage of 98,622 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW 316 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 71,150 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P5 TAU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 316 typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 28 years old, this BMW 316 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P5 TAU?

You can check the full history of P5 TAU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P5 TAU registered?

P5 TAU is a 1998 BMW 316, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is P5 TAU safe to buy?

The MOT history for P5 TAU shows 22 tests with a 68.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P5 TAU 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 P5 TAU. 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.