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R218 JBJ

1998 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Sep 2026
Tests37 (20 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate54.1%

Mileage

181,068 mi
Last recorded181,068 miles
Recorded on19 Sep 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR218 JBJ
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
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

20 pass 17 fail
Pass 19 Sep 2025 181,068 miles

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Offside & Nearside ()

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Offside & Nearside perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Vehicle structure is fractured but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 9 Sep 2025 181,056 miles

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

Offside Front Lower Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting Marked in yellow (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Offside & Nearside ()

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Offside & Nearside perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Vehicle structure is fractured but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 27 Aug 2024 179,234 miles

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 7 Sep 2023 178,293 miles

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Fail 30 Aug 2023 178,293 miles

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Fail 22 Aug 2023 178,278 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rears (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Brake hose slightly deteriorated both fronts (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge only just on limit outer edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both rear sills ect (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 24 Aug 2022 173,967 miles

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 22 Aug 2022 173,967 miles

Central Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded Marked in yellow (1.1.11 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 23 Aug 2021 170,704 miles
Fail 23 Aug 2021 170,704 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Pass 7 Sep 2020 167,309 miles
Fail 2 Sep 2020 167,309 miles

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

Pass 19 Sep 2019 163,610 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear cracks within the tread pattern

Fail 17 Sep 2019 163,600 miles

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

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))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported flexy securing clips missing (1.1.11 (d) (i))

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

Fail 10 Sep 2019 163,450 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))

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

Pass 28 Aug 2018 156,758 miles

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

Pass 20 Sep 2017 149,792 miles

brake pipes corroded

headlamp lens deteriorated, aim borderline pass

rear differential oily

rear windscreen has a crack

slight under-body corrosion

Fail 20 Sep 2017 149,792 miles

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

brake pipes corroded

headlamp lens deteriorated, aim borderline pass

rear differential oily

rear windscreen has a crack

slight under-body corrosion

Pass 17 May 2016 145,158 miles

front discs pitted

front headlights delaminating

Fail 14 May 2016 145,101 miles

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

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

front discs pitted

front headlights delaminating

Pass 22 May 2015 143,294 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Pass 21 May 2014 142,278 miles

Front Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded but its strength is not seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Pass 7 May 2013 139,716 miles

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

advise rear tyres starting to show signs of perrish on side walls

Fail 7 May 2013 139,716 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

advise rear tyres starting to show signs of perrish on side walls

Pass 30 May 2012 139,298 miles
Fail 30 May 2012 139,287 miles

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

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

Pass 20 May 2011 139,222 miles
Fail 20 May 2011 139,222 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Fail 7 May 2010 197,412 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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 brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

front tyres starting to perrish

Pass 7 May 2010 197,412 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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 brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

front tyres starting to perrish

Fail 18 Mar 2009 134,898 miles

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Pass 18 Mar 2009 134,898 miles

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 14 Mar 2008 131,985 miles

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

offside front fog lamp damaged

slight play in front suspension arm ball joint seats

Fail 14 Mar 2008 131,985 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

nearside front brake starting to bind

offside front fog lamp damaged

slight play in front suspension arm ball joint seats

Pass 16 Mar 2007 129,206 miles
Pass 10 Jan 2006 117,586 miles
Fail 6 Jan 2006 117,586 miles

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

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

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

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

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

R218 JBJ is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 37 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.1%.

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 R218 JBJ, 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 R218 JBJ?

You can check the full history of R218 JBJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R218 JBJ registered?

R218 JBJ is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 13 January 1998.

Is R218 JBJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for R218 JBJ shows 37 tests with a 54.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R218 JBJ 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 R218 JBJ. 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.