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P81 ABV

1997 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Aug 2026
Tests26 (15 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate57.7%

Mileage

66,480 mi
Last recorded66,480 miles
Recorded on22 Aug 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW Z383,222 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP81 ABV
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

15 pass 11 fail
Pass 22 Aug 2025 66,480 miles

Fuel pipes corroded

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Road wheel slightly distorted Lip (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Fail 23 Jun 2025 66,392 miles

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

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Back section of exhaust (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake calliper insecurely mounted Caliper spring clip missing (1.1.16 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Road wheel slightly distorted Outer lip (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 2 May 2025 66,304 miles

Dipswitch does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam (4.1.3 (b))

Emissions unable to be completed vehicle over heated (8.2.1.2 (d))

Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Position lamp switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements (4.2.2 (a))

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

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

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

Offside Front 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))

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

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

exhaust blow back box

underside generally corroded

Pass 13 Oct 2023 65,409 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

front to rear brake pipes corroded

front to rear fuel lines corroded

o/s and n/s inner sills corroded

rear diff corroded

underside of vehicle corroded

Fail 26 Sep 2023 65,409 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 hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

both n/s and o/s inner sills corroded

front to rear fuel pipes corroded

rear diff corroded

rear subframe corroded

underside of vehicle corroded

Fail 4 Apr 2023 65,407 miles

All direction indicators adversely affected by the operation of another lamp Hazard lights remain on (4.4.3 (b))

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))

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

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

Offside Front Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

Offside Front Obligatory mirror insecure (3.3 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Worn on the inside (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Worn on the inside (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 17 Mar 2022 62,081 miles

Rear Both rear tires cracking / perishing with age

Vehicle under-body has signs of corrosion

Pass 19 Mar 2021 61,194 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 17 Mar 2021 61,194 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))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 10 Dec 2020 61,153 miles

Emissions not tested limits off scale (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 27 Mar 2018 61,005 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

Pass 28 Mar 2017 58,227 miles

Nearside Rear Exhaust support bracket corroded

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Fail 20 Mar 2017 58,221 miles

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

Nearside Rear Exhaust support bracket corroded

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Pass 21 Jan 2016 47,740 miles

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

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

Offside Front 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 23 Jan 2015 37,257 miles

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

Fail 16 Jan 2015 37,257 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Jan 2014 27,797 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2012 27,781 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2011 27,056 miles
Pass 18 Oct 2010 26,506 miles
Fail 18 Oct 2010 26,506 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 1 Oct 2009 25,861 miles
Pass 4 Apr 2008 24,207 miles
Pass 11 Jul 2007 23,953 miles
Fail 10 Jul 2007 23,949 miles

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

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

Pass 13 Jul 2006 22,668 miles

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

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

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

P81 ABV is a 1997 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.7%.

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 P81 ABV, 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 P81 ABV?

You can check the full history of P81 ABV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P81 ABV registered?

P81 ABV is a 1997 BMW Z3, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P81 ABV safe to buy?

The MOT history for P81 ABV shows 26 tests with a 57.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P81 ABV 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 P81 ABV. 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.