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P681 BCX

1997 BMW Z3

Black Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Oct 2026
Tests26 (19 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate73.1%

Mileage

219,870 mi
Last recorded219,870 miles
Recorded on17 Oct 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP681 BCX
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

19 pass 7 fail
Pass 17 Oct 2025 219,870 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 15 Jul 2024 214,545 miles
Pass 27 Jul 2023

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

[underside of vehicle generally corroded ]

Pass 12 Jul 2022

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 4 Aug 2021 199,248 miles
Pass 31 Jul 2020 196,192 miles
Fail 28 Jul 2020 196,192 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 27 Feb 2019
Pass 10 Jan 2018 180,850 miles

corrosion around jacking points and o/s outer sill to wheel arch

front and rear brake balance poor

had to get car very hot to get through the emissions test

oil on engine and steering

slight corrosion front to rear and one rear brake pipe

slightly damp shock absorber n/s/f

Fail 2 Jan 2018 180,557 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)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened n/s and o/s rear lower arms both rusted and holed (2.4.G.1)

corrosion around jacking points and o/s outer sill to wheel arch

front and rear brake balance poor

oil on engine and steering

slight corrosion front to rear and one rear brake pipe

slightly damp shock absorber n/s/f

Pass 7 Jul 2016 162,092 miles
Pass 27 Jul 2015 150,862 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2014 137,842 miles
Fail 4 Jul 2014 137,842 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Jul 2013 126,729 miles

uneven ware to n/s front tyre

Pass 27 Jun 2012 117,940 miles
Pass 8 Jun 2011 115,301 miles

advanced corrosion front suspension coil springs

advanced wear rear axle subframe bushes

Fail 5 Jun 2011 115,301 miles

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

Offside Obligatory mirror insecure (8.1.1)

advanced corrosion front suspension coil springs

advanced wear rear axle subframe bushes

Fail 13 May 2011 115,166 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)

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Front Obligatory mirror insecure (8.1.1)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a pin or bush of a lower wishbone inner bearing (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

advanced deterioration wear & perishing to front & rear suspension rubbers & bushes

advanced surface corrosion to front & rear suspension components

Pass 12 May 2010 103,386 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a pin or bush of an lower wishbone inner bearing (2.5.B.1a)

extensively repaired after accident repair to front of vehicle & suspension

Fail 12 May 2010 103,386 miles

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a pin or bush of an lower wishbone inner bearing (2.5.B.1a)

extensively repaired after accident repair to front of vehicle & suspension

Pass 10 Oct 2009 102,185 miles

Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Front suspension has slight play in a pin or bush of an lower wishbone inner bearing (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

advanced deterioration & perishing to front & rear suspension rubbers & bushes

advanced surface corrosion to front & rear suspension components

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 10 Oct 2009 102,185 miles

Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Front suspension has slight play in a pin or bush of an lower wishbone inner bearing (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

Rear Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

advanced deterioration & perishing to front & rear suspension rubbers & bushes

advanced surface corrosion to front & rear suspension components

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 18 Oct 2008 95,573 miles

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

front exhaust stabilizing bracket corroded

Pass 29 Sep 2007 86,370 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2006 80,297 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

engine runing rough at idle

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

P681 BCX is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Black with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.1%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 P681 BCX, 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 P681 BCX?

You can check the full history of P681 BCX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P681 BCX registered?

P681 BCX is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 12 May 1997.

Is P681 BCX safe to buy?

The MOT history for P681 BCX shows 26 tests with a 73.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P681 BCX 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 P681 BCX. 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.