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R226 TAO

1998 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires15 May 2026
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

113,569 mi
Last recorded113,569 miles
Recorded on16 May 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

RegistrationR226 TAO
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 11 fail
Pass 16 May 2025 113,569 miles

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

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

Rear Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 14 May 2024 110,441 miles
Pass 16 May 2023 108,817 miles

Nearside Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.2.2 (b))

Pass 6 Jul 2022 107,411 miles

Offside Front rack end ball joint has a lot of play

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

drivers seat mechanism worn

steering column top bush worn (felt from steering wheel)

underside of vehicle corroded

Fail 30 Jun 2022 107,406 miles

Brake fluid contaminated (1.8 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn not in properly and has play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strength near jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front rack end ball joint has a lot of play

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

drivers seat mechanism worn

steering column top bush worn (felt from steering wheel)

underside of vehicle corroded

Fail 13 Jun 2022 107,358 miles

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

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 1 Jun 2021 106,772 miles
Pass 3 Jun 2020 105,709 miles
Pass 17 May 2019 104,387 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2018 101,669 miles

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

both sills under side corroded

rear subframe corroded

slight exhaust blow front front pipe

under trays fitted

Fail 8 Jun 2018 101,666 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

both sills under side corroded

exhaust hanger broken back box

rear subframe corroded

slight exhaust blow front front pipe

under trays fitted

Pass 12 Jun 2017 96,891 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak ()

under tray fitted

Fail 12 Jun 2017 96,891 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Oil leak ()

under tray fitted

Pass 6 Jun 2016 95,437 miles

Emissions test not carried out due to coolant leaking because of overheating

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 6 Jun 2016 95,437 miles

Emissions test not carried out due to coolant leaking because of overheating

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)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 16 Jun 2015 94,135 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 8 Jun 2015 94,122 miles

Nearside Inner Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 10 Jun 2014 92,241 miles

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

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

Fail 10 Jun 2014 92,239 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 May 2013 85,444 miles

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

Fail 17 May 2013 85,442 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 11 Jun 2012 81,429 miles
Fail 11 Jun 2012 81,429 miles

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

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

Pass 20 Apr 2011 78,499 miles

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

Fail 8 Apr 2011 78,487 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

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

Upper Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 6 May 2010 75,559 miles

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

Fail 29 Apr 2010 75,544 miles

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

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

Pass 30 Apr 2009 73,850 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2008 71,958 miles

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

Pass 17 Apr 2007 70,283 miles
Pass 27 Apr 2006 65,779 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

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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

R226 TAO is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 R226 TAO, 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 R226 TAO?

You can check the full history of R226 TAO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R226 TAO registered?

R226 TAO is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 8 April 1998.

Is R226 TAO safe to buy?

The MOT history for R226 TAO shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R226 TAO 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 R226 TAO. 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.