CarVerify

Free Car Check

R126 ARD

1998 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 2793cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires4 May 2023
Tests27 (17 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate63%

Mileage

115,799 mi
Last recorded115,799 miles
Recorded on5 May 2022
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR126 ARD
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,793cc

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

17 pass 10 fail
Pass 5 May 2022 115,799 miles

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

Nearside Front Coolant leak ()

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly chafed (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly twisted (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Front Outer Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner and outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

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

both rear brake hoses ferrule mounting brackets missing

Fail 22 Apr 2022 115,766 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Brake cable damaged (1.1.15 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake cable has restricted free movement (1.1.15 (e))

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

Windscreen washer not working both sides (3.5 (a))

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

Nearside Front Coolant leak ()

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly chafed (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly twisted (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Front Outer Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner and outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

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

both rear brake hoses ferrule mounting brackets missing

Fail 8 Mar 2022 115,752 miles

Central Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases centre section to rear section clamp (6.1.2 (a))

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded along rear suspension arm (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded along rear suspension arm (1.1.11 (c))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Central Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material pipe above rear differential (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front inner sill starting to corrode

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

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

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

Rear Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Jan 2021 113,215 miles

Front both brake pads low

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

Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess both (1.1.15 (a))

Pass 10 Jan 2020 113,201 miles
Pass 25 Jan 2019 111,520 miles

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

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

n/s/r brake binding slightly

Pass 18 Jan 2018 107,716 miles

Offside Lower Front suspension has slight movement at a suspension ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

Pass 21 Jan 2017 101,821 miles

Offside Lower Front suspension has slight movement at a suspension ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

n/s/f tyre worn on inner tread

Fail 21 Jan 2017 101,821 miles

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

Offside Lower Front suspension has slight movement at a suspension ball joint (2.5.A.1c)

n/s/f tyre worn on inner tread

Pass 23 Jan 2016 97,719 miles
Fail 20 Jan 2016 97,715 miles

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Fail 17 Sep 2015 97,707 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has insufficient room to move, resulting in fouling on any part rubbing on body and has started to rub pipe (3.6.B.4a)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 11 Jun 2015 97,695 miles

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

Nearside Outer Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Power steering pump leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Pass 13 Jun 2014 92,399 miles

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

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Pass 4 Jun 2013 82,630 miles

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

Fail 28 May 2013 82,620 miles

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

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

rear brake discs corroded

Pass 1 Jun 2012 72,430 miles

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

Pass 25 May 2011 66,063 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

front brake discs corroded

Pass 2 Jun 2010 59,056 miles

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

nearside front brake hose lightly touches underwing guard no damage

slight distortion nearside front brake

Fail 19 May 2010 58,560 miles

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

Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

drivers wiper blade poor

offside rear coil spring corroded

small chips in windscreen

Pass 2 Jun 2009 44,788 miles
Fail 29 May 2009 44,787 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a) DANGEROUS

Pass 17 May 2008 33,653 miles

both front wish bones rubbers perrished

both rear tyres perrished

exhaust corroded

knocking from engine

near side rear tyre side wall damaged ( ADVISE REPLACEMENT ) 245 40 17 Y

slight movement in both front lower ball joints + movement in steering system

Fail 2 Jan 2008 30,189 miles

Front registration plate dirty (6.3.1d)

Pass 2 Jan 2008 30,189 miles
Pass 18 Dec 2006 22,699 miles

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

Pass 16 Sep 2005 22,119 miles

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

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

R126 ARD is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63%.

Across all 1998 BMW Z3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.1% with a typical mileage of 76,857 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 R126 ARD, 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 28 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 R126 ARD?

You can check the full history of R126 ARD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R126 ARD registered?

R126 ARD is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is R126 ARD safe to buy?

The MOT history for R126 ARD shows 27 tests with a 63% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R126 ARD 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 R126 ARD. 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.