CarVerify

Free Car Check

R162 VJB

1998 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 2793cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Jul 2027
Tests27 (19 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate70.4%

Mileage

162,294 mi
Last recorded162,294 miles
Recorded on30 Jul 2026
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

RegistrationR162 VJB
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

19 pass 8 fail
Pass 30 Jul 2026 162,294 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule all rear (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Fail 30 Jul 2026 162,292 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))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system front to osr hose (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule all rear (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Pass 28 Jul 2025 162,199 miles

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded pipes (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Underside including steering, brakes,suspension etc covered with waxoyl

Fail 18 Jul 2025 162,180 miles

Nearside Rear Road wheel badly distorted Inner rim (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded pipes (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Underside including steering, brakes,suspension etc covered with waxoyl

Pass 11 Jul 2024 161,764 miles

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

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted inner rim (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded pipes (2.1.5 (g) (i))

underside including steering ,suspension,brake pipes etc has been covered with waxoyl

Pass 12 Jul 2023 161,643 miles

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

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

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

underside including suspension,steering,brake pipes etc have been covered with waxoyl

Pass 7 Jul 2022 161,365 miles

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

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly damaged (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Fail 7 Jul 2022 161,365 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Pass 30 Jun 2021 161,165 miles

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective rubber mount broken (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 2 Jul 2020 160,923 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material brake pipes covered with undeseal/paint (1.1.11 (c))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) both

knock from steering ,unable to detect source at test. Advise more in depth inspection.

Pass 3 Jul 2019 160,393 miles

park brake will need adjustment shortly

Pass 22 Jun 2018 159,461 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 22 Jun 2018 159,461 miles

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 27 Jul 2017 152,605 miles

Oil leak

Fail 26 Jul 2017 152,605 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end loose (2.2.B.1d)

Offside track rod end locking nut missing

Oil leak

Pass 30 Jul 2016 149,934 miles
Pass 15 Jun 2015 148,043 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

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

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

Pass 18 Sep 2013 147,880 miles

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

Offside Front Lower 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)

airbag light on

lambda sensor wiring in poor condition

offside rear wheel bearing slightly noisy

Fail 16 Sep 2013 147,880 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Lower 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)

airbag light on

lambda sensor wiring in poor condition

offside rear wheel bearing slightly noisy

Fail 29 Jun 2013 147,879 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

Nearside Front An item not tested (Manual)

Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

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

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

Offside Front An item not tested (Manual)

Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

airbag light on

lambda sensor wiring in poor condition

offside rear wheel bearing slightly noisy

Pass 24 Nov 2011 145,187 miles

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

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

Rear Brake Discs Worn

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

Pass 17 Nov 2010 141,305 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake Disc Worn

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

Fail 8 Nov 2010 141,303 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake Disc Worn

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

Pass 16 Dec 2009 137,258 miles

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

Pass 3 Dec 2008 131,289 miles
Pass 10 Dec 2007 124,184 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 20 Mar 2006 98,982 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

R162 VJB 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 70.4%.

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 R162 VJB, 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 R162 VJB?

You can check the full history of R162 VJB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R162 VJB registered?

R162 VJB is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 17 April 1998.

Is R162 VJB safe to buy?

The MOT history for R162 VJB shows 27 tests with a 70.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R162 VJB 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 R162 VJB. 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.