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R255 LWV

1998 BMW Z3

Red Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Oct 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

178,748 mi
Last recorded178,748 miles
Recorded on11 Oct 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR255 LWV
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourRed
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 12 fail
Pass 11 Oct 2025 178,748 miles

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

general corrosion

Pass 12 Oct 2024 176,460 miles

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

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

Pass 14 Oct 2023 171,972 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2023 171,953 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Front Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Handbrake Lower Reading

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Rear Bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning High Level (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Fail 8 Sep 2023 171,943 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

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

Steering wheel has excessive movement up and down (2.2.2 (a))

Brake Warning Light On

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

Nearside Front Lower Fog Light Not Working

Nearside Front Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Handbrake Lower Reading

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Rear Bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning High Level (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Jul 2022 167,501 miles

Advise; Both front inner/ outer body sill slightly corroded.

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

Fail 30 Jul 2022 167,501 miles

Advise; Both front inner/ outer body sill slightly corroded.

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Pass 24 Aug 2021 166,620 miles

areas of corrosion

Pass 9 Jun 2020 165,983 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases joint with rear silencer (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 4 Jul 2019 164,326 miles

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

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

Offside Front Inner Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Outer Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 3 Jun 2019 164,319 miles

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Outer Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 23 Jun 2018 151,342 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2017 146,853 miles

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

slight oil leaks

Fail 20 Jun 2017 146,693 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

slight oil leaks

Pass 9 Sep 2016 143,356 miles

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

Pass 8 Sep 2015 138,059 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases centre to rear join (7.1.2)

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

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

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

exhaust centre box section touching body

oil leak

Pass 28 Aug 2014 134,920 miles

Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

n/s/f and n/s/r tyres slightly out of shape

Fail 21 Aug 2014 134,824 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

n/s/f and n/s/r tyres slightly out of shape

vehicle started overheating after switched off after emmissions

Pass 22 Aug 2013 128,713 miles
Pass 4 Sep 2012 119,895 miles

Emisson test only just passed

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Handbrake cables deteriorating

N/S windscreen wiper poor

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

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Oil leak

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

Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

center upper stop light disconnected

Fail 4 Sep 2012 119,895 miles

Centre Upper Stop lamp has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating (1.2.1b)

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

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

Emisson test only just passed

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Handbrake cables deteriorating

N/S windscreen wiper poor

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

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Oil leak

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

Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 13 Jul 2012 118,567 miles

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

n/s/f door hard to open from outside

stonechips in windscreen

Pass 3 Aug 2011 110,359 miles
Pass 1 Mar 2010 106,185 miles
Fail 1 Mar 2010 106,185 miles

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

Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Pass 8 Feb 2009 103,686 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Feb 2008 99,341 miles

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

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

Offside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

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

slight ply on nearside steering

Fail 2 Feb 2008 99,341 miles

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Offside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

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

slight ply on nearside steering

Pass 26 Mar 2007 95,392 miles
Fail 24 Mar 2007 95,392 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)

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Feb 2006 82,810 miles
Fail 8 Feb 2006 82,605 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high when the centre of the headlamp is below 850mm from the ground (1.6.B2)

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high when the centre of the headlamp is below 850mm from the ground (1.6.B2)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

R255 LWV is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Red with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 R255 LWV, 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 R255 LWV?

You can check the full history of R255 LWV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R255 LWV registered?

R255 LWV is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is R255 LWV safe to buy?

The MOT history for R255 LWV shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R255 LWV 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 R255 LWV. 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.