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P729 KEY

1996 BMW M3

Silver Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires28 Nov 2026
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

148,636 mi
Last recorded148,636 miles
Recorded on29 Nov 2025
Typical for 1996 BMW M3100,666 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP729 KEY
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1996
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,201cc

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 9 fail
Pass 29 Nov 2025 148,636 miles

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

Nearside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective damp inside (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 25 Oct 2024 143,661 miles

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

Nearside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 17 Oct 2024 143,661 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Power steering component leaking pipe (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 19 Oct 2023 138,149 miles

Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

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

Pass 1 Sep 2022 133,002 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 30 Aug 2022 133,002 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 23 Aug 2021 127,841 miles

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

Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 2 Sep 2020 124,905 miles
Fail 20 Aug 2020 124,879 miles

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

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

Nearside Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm 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 Rear Nail in tyre ()

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

ignition barrel defective

Pass 23 Aug 2019 122,138 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear DIFF MOUNTING BUSHES ARE WORN

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

SILL COVERS FITTED

Fail 21 Aug 2019 122,137 miles

Fuel system component leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the left (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear DIFF MOUNTING BUSHES ARE WORN

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

SILL COVERS FITTED

Pass 24 Aug 2018 119,792 miles

all coil springs corroded

underside of vehicle corroded

Pass 9 Nov 2016 117,310 miles

Both rear tyres wearing low

Front coil spring corroded and rear both sides (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 8 Nov 2016 117,310 miles

Nearside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt inner (2.4.G.2)

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

Washer jets weak

Both rear tyres wearing low

Front coil spring corroded and rear both sides (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 17 Oct 2016 117,291 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)

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Offside Front front brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 12 Oct 2015 113,129 miles

Nearside Front suspension ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Pass 23 Oct 2014 112,470 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Oct 2013 105,139 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Pass 16 Oct 2012 100,586 miles
Fail 13 Oct 2012 100,573 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Pass 2 Jul 2011 97,183 miles

Front Discs Are Corroded and Pitted

Rear Discs Are Corroded And Pitted

Pass 4 Dec 2009 93,557 miles

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

Pass 27 Oct 2008 86,742 miles

advise front tyres wearing on edges.advise slight run out on front brakes.

Pass 18 Oct 2007 80,003 miles

advise slight play in n/s/r lower arm bush.advise †n/s/r tyre getting low.

Fail 17 Oct 2007 80,003 miles

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

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

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

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

advise slight play in n/s/r lower arm bush.advise †n/s/r tyre getting low.

Pass 31 Oct 2006 74,269 miles

advise both sides rear metal brake pipes slight †corrosion forming. †advise o/s/r tyre low on edge. †advise both front tyres low on edged. †advise tracking.

Pass 29 Oct 2005 68,488 miles

advise rear pads low

Fail 25 Oct 2005 68,437 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

front undertray insecure

How Reliable is the BMW M3?

Based on 440,678 MOT tests across 34,038 vehicles.

80.8%
Pass Rate
3,682
Miles/Year
32
Year Lifespan
34,038
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 14,421
Brake pipe excessively corroded 7,386
coil spring incomplete 5,157
coil spring fractured 4,494
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 3,944
Full BMW M3 reliability report

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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

P729 KEY is a 1996 BMW M3 in Silver with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.9%.

Across all 1996 BMW M3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.5% with a typical mileage of 100,666 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 M3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 14,421 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P729 KEY, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW M3 typically stays on UK roads for around 32 years. At 30 years old, this BMW M3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P729 KEY?

You can check the full history of P729 KEY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P729 KEY registered?

P729 KEY is a 1996 BMW M3, first registered on 16 September 1996.

Is P729 KEY safe to buy?

The MOT history for P729 KEY shows 28 tests with a 67.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P729 KEY 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 P729 KEY. 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.