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R155 BAU

1997 BMW 735

Blue Petrol 3498cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Feb 2027
Tests28 (20 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

99,768 mi
Last recorded99,768 miles
Recorded on17 Jan 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 735117,541 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR155 BAU
MakeBMW
Model735
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,498cc

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

20 pass 8 fail
Pass 17 Jan 2026 99,768 miles

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 6 Feb 2025 97,365 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge also has small cuts present (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear bumper section has slight cosmetic damage present

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

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 14 Nov 2023 97,264 miles

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

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

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

Pass 22 Nov 2022 96,248 miles

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

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 18 Nov 2021 94,725 miles

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

Fail 17 Nov 2021 94,722 miles

Offside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (Inner wall) (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 11 Nov 2020 93,321 miles

Oil leak

Fail 11 Nov 2020 93,321 miles

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

Oil leak

Pass 21 May 2019 90,577 miles
Fail 17 May 2019 90,577 miles

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

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 22 May 2018 87,336 miles
Pass 18 May 2017 83,997 miles

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt forward (2.4.G.2)

Fail 17 May 2017 83,996 miles

Nearside Direction indicator excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

Nearside Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt forward (2.4.G.2)

Pass 23 May 2016 80,891 miles
Pass 7 May 2015 76,705 miles
Pass 15 May 2014 73,113 miles
Fail 14 May 2014 73,112 miles

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

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

Pass 14 May 2013 69,343 miles

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

Fail 14 May 2013 69,343 miles

Front Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 8 May 2012 66,980 miles
Fail 4 May 2012 66,980 miles

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

Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Fail 13 Oct 2011 66,721 miles

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

Pass 13 Oct 2010 62,191 miles
Pass 15 Oct 2009 59,546 miles
Pass 9 Oct 2008 56,032 miles

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

Pass 8 Oct 2007 52,651 miles

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)

Pass 13 Oct 2006 48,729 miles
Pass 23 Sep 2005 43,794 miles

indicator bulbs starting to discolour

How Reliable is the BMW 735?

Based on 51,279 MOT tests across 5,701 vehicles.

73.1%
Pass Rate
4,383
Miles/Year
41
Year Lifespan
5,701
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,292
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 1,707
Brake pipe excessively corroded 1,582
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,324
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 1,237
Full BMW 735 reliability report

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R155 BAU is a 1997 BMW 735 in Blue with a 3,498cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

Across all 1997 BMW 735 models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.2% with a typical mileage of 117,541 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a BMW 735 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 2,292 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R155 BAU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 735 typically stays on UK roads for around 41 years. At 29 years old, this BMW 735 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R155 BAU?

You can check the full history of R155 BAU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R155 BAU registered?

R155 BAU is a 1997 BMW 735, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R155 BAU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R155 BAU shows 28 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R155 BAU 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 R155 BAU. 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.