CarVerify

Free Car Check

R221 BLE

1998 BMW 316

Green Petrol 1596cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Sep 2026
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

123,984 mi
Last recorded123,984 miles
Recorded on19 Aug 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW 31698,622 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR221 BLE
MakeBMW
Model316
Year1998
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,596cc

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 10 fail
Pass 19 Aug 2025 123,984 miles

Nearside Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) both near side and off side. ()

Fail 15 Aug 2025 123,979 miles

Nearside Front Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) both near side and off side. ()

Pass 5 Sep 2024 123,298 miles

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

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

General corrosion on underside

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

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Rear Exhaust mounting defective rear silencer 1 rubber missing of 3 but not likely to fall (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 30 Aug 2023 122,032 miles

GENERAL CORROSION ON UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) BOTH JOINTS ()

Fail 8 Aug 2023 122,002 miles

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

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

Brake hose slightly deteriorated all hoses (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

outer sills corroded general corrosion under side of the vehicle

Pass 9 Sep 2022 120,384 miles

SLIGHT POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK

Fail 12 Jul 2022 120,367 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material FRONT TO REAR (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 16 Jul 2021 119,153 miles

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

Offside Rear TYRE INNER SIDE WALL CRACKING

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 15 Jul 2021 119,151 miles

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

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear TYRE INNER SIDE WALL CRACKING

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

PARKING BRAKE EFFORT 17%

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Jul 2020 118,086 miles

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

Fail 24 Jul 2020 118,086 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake valve leaking (1.1.7 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge ON LIMIT (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 16 Jul 2019 113,916 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 15 Jul 2019 113,916 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear exhaust rubber mounting is broken

Pass 19 Jun 2018 111,520 miles
Pass 19 Jul 2017 107,819 miles
Fail 5 Jul 2017 107,816 miles

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

Exhaust engine idle speed too high (7.3.D.1)

Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Pass 12 Apr 2016 107,479 miles
Fail 6 Apr 2016 107,456 miles

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

Nearside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (3.6.A.1)

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases box (7.1.2)

Pass 11 Nov 2014 105,836 miles
Pass 20 Aug 2013 104,996 miles

Oil leak

Pass 25 Jul 2012 104,537 miles
Pass 28 Mar 2011 102,516 miles

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

emissions only just met

Fail 30 Apr 2010 98,230 miles

N/S/F Fog light broken

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

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

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

O/S/F Tyre perrished

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Sidewall damage to N/S/F Tyre

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 30 Apr 2010 98,230 miles

N/S/F Fog light broken

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

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

O/S/F Tyre perrished

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Sidewall damage to N/S/F Tyre

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 1 May 2009 90,582 miles
Pass 18 Apr 2008 80,686 miles
Fail 17 Apr 2008 80,680 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Pass 26 Jun 2007 68,206 miles

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Pass 5 Apr 2006 63,968 miles

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

How Reliable is the BMW 316?

Based on 1,210,990 MOT tests across 108,989 vehicles.

69.2%
Pass Rate
5,781
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
108,989
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 71,150
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 70,761
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 45,241
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 39,617
parking brake recording little or no effort 33,703
Full BMW 316 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

R221 BLE is a 1998 BMW 316 in Green with a 1,596cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

Across all 1998 BMW 316 models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.1% with a typical mileage of 98,622 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 316 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 71,150 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R221 BLE, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 316 typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 28 years old, this BMW 316 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R221 BLE?

You can check the full history of R221 BLE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R221 BLE registered?

R221 BLE is a 1998 BMW 316, first registered on 25 March 1998.

Is R221 BLE safe to buy?

The MOT history for R221 BLE shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R221 BLE 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 R221 BLE. 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.