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P866 HVW

1996 BMW M3

Blue Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Nov 2026
Tests32 (16 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate50%

Mileage

260,010 mi
Last recorded260,010 miles
Recorded on13 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

RegistrationP866 HVW
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1996
ColourBlue
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

16 pass 16 fail
Pass 13 Nov 2025 260,010 miles

oil residue rear diff

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage rack area (2.1.5 (a))

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened nearside and offside (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 12 Nov 2025 259,995 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage rack area (2.1.5 (a))

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened nearside and offside (5.3.3 (b) (i))

oil residue rear diff

Pass 10 Jul 2024 258,718 miles

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

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

underbody has general corrosion

Fail 7 Sep 2023 258,686 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

Offside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Sep 2022 258,150 miles

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside parking brake has low effort

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

body has general surface corrosion

underbody has general corrosion

Fail 8 Sep 2022 258,149 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn lower ball joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Power steering pipe/hose leaking (2.1.5 (a))

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside parking brake has low effort

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

body has general surface corrosion

Pass 9 Aug 2021 255,699 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Floor/jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Bump stop and dust cover insecure (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage Pump to rack (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Exhaust flanges cracked

Fail 7 Aug 2021 255,699 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel creeping under pressure (1.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking on an air braking system Caliper flex to axle metal pipe (1.1.11 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid Wipers not checked (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Floor/jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Bump stop and dust cover insecure (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage Pump to rack (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Exhaust flanges cracked

Pass 14 Mar 2020 254,629 miles

Nearside Front Jacking point corroded through and now missing. Not within any prescribed areas.

Fail 10 Feb 2020 254,622 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

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

Front to rear fuel pipes excessively corroded.

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

Nearside Front Jacking point corroded through and now missing. not within any prescribed areas.

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

Pass 24 Nov 2016 248,238 miles
Fail 14 Nov 2016 247,576 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Pass 12 Dec 2015 239,146 miles

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

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

Oil Leak

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint reservoir to pump (2.3.3b)

Rear fuel pipes corroded

Fail 2 Dec 2015 239,146 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

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

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

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

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

Oil Leak

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint reservoir to pump (2.3.3b)

Rear fuel pipes corroded

Pass 5 Dec 2014 230,391 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Oil leak

o/s/f tyre n/s/r tyre wearing on inside edges

Fail 2 Dec 2014 230,388 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Oil leak

o/s/f tyre n/s/r tyre wearing on inside edges

Pass 30 Oct 2013 221,494 miles

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

Oil leak

Fail 29 Oct 2013 221,494 miles

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Oil leak

Pass 11 Oct 2012 210,941 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak

movement in offside inner track rod

rear brake discs corroded

Fail 10 Oct 2012 210,941 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Oil leak

airbag light on

movement in offside inner track rod

rear brake discs corroded

Pass 25 Oct 2011 200,691 miles

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

Oil leak

cut in nearside front tyre

nearside wash jet blocked

offside rear brake disc corroded

Fail 19 Oct 2011 200,545 miles

Front registration plate font not substantially similar to the prescribed font (6.3.4d)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Rear registration plate font not substantially similar to the prescribed font (6.3.4d)

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

Oil leak

cut in nearside front tyre

nearside wash jet blocked

offside rear brake disc corroded

Pass 15 Oct 2010 189,714 miles

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

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

Fail 14 Oct 2010 189,714 miles

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

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 12 Oct 2009 184,868 miles
Pass 16 Sep 2008 171,273 miles
Fail 11 Sep 2008 171,178 miles

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

Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Pass 29 Sep 2007 157,891 miles

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

Fail 29 Sep 2007 157,891 miles

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

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

Pass 25 Sep 2006 146,479 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2006 146,479 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 24 Jul 2006 145,408 miles

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

o/s/r brake pipes shown sign of rusting

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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

P866 HVW is a 1996 BMW M3 in Blue with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 50%.

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 P866 HVW, 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 P866 HVW?

You can check the full history of P866 HVW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P866 HVW registered?

P866 HVW is a 1996 BMW M3, first registered on 14 August 1996.

Is P866 HVW safe to buy?

The MOT history for P866 HVW shows 32 tests with a 50% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P866 HVW 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 P866 HVW. 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.