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R281 FAN

1997 BMW M3

Blue Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires6 Dec 2021
Tests25 (15 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

154,247 mi
Last recorded154,247 miles
Recorded on7 Dec 2020
Typical for 1997 BMW M396,985 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR281 FAN
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,201cc

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

15 pass 10 fail
Pass 7 Dec 2020 154,247 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Fail 2 Dec 2020 154,240 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle readings nearside 470 offside302 43% inbalance (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Fail 12 Aug 2020 154,232 miles

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm modified so the suspension is likely to foul other components suspension arm fouling anti roll bar (5.3.3 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

corrosion at all four jacking points . Rears are close to suspension mounts

Pass 19 Aug 2019 153,678 miles

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joints

Fail 29 May 2019 153,657 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively inner face (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively inner face (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 31 May 2018 149,788 miles
Fail 1 May 2018 149,787 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 Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Pass 20 May 2017 145,720 miles

Central Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% two light sources not working. (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% inner sidelight not working. (1.1.A.3b)

brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Both front and rear discs corroded on inner braking surfaces. (3.5.1i)

Fail 18 May 2017 145,719 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe kinked short pipe, and slightly corroded. (3.6.B.2b)

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe kinked short pipe. (3.6.B.2b)

Central Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% two light sources not working. (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% inner sidelight not working. (1.1.A.3b)

brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Both front and rear discs corroded on inner braking surfaces. (3.5.1i)

Pass 8 Apr 2016 142,697 miles
Pass 28 Apr 2015 137,823 miles

Both rear indicators slightly off colour

Rear brake pipes and flexy hose ferules all show some corrossion

Slight play in both rear suspension top arm bushes

Slight play in both sides of steering rack

Fail 27 Apr 2015 137,824 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 Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

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

Both rear indicators slightly off colour

Rear brake pipes and flexy hose ferules all show some corrossion

Slight play in both rear suspension top arm bushes

Slight play in both sides of steering rack

Pass 6 May 2014 131,938 miles

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

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

Fail 6 May 2014 131,933 miles

Nearside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 25 Apr 2013 124,496 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 16 Apr 2012 116,307 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)

n/s front outer angel eye (position lamp) not working.

Pass 8 Apr 2011 100,874 miles

SEVERE engine oil leak. very close to contaminating front brakes. advise immediate attention !

nearside rear tyre worn close to limit...235/45/r17

Pass 7 May 2010 91,541 miles

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

o/s and n/s rear suspension bushes have slight play

o/s steering rack has slight play

Fail 4 May 2010 91,541 miles

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

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

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

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

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

o/s and n/s rear suspension bushes have slight play

o/s steering rack has slight play

Pass 7 May 2009 89,034 miles
Pass 8 May 2008 86,642 miles

ENGINE BELLY PAN FITTED

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

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

WEAR TO N/S/R HUB BOTTOM BUSH

Fail 11 Apr 2008 86,641 miles

Nearside Rear Trailing arm synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

O/S/R TYRE WEARING LOW ON INNER EDGE. ENGINE BELLY PAN FITTED

WEAR TO N/S/R HUB BOTTOM BUSH

Pass 16 Feb 2007 82,338 miles
Fail 15 Feb 2007 82,338 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside rear hub bush play

Offside rack movement

Pass 7 Jan 2006 72,877 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

advise play in o/s and n/s of steering rack

How Reliable is the BMW M3?

Based on 440,678 MOT tests across 34,038 vehicles.

80.8%
Pass Rate
3,682
Miles/Year
32
Year Lifespan
34,038
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 14,421
Brake pipe excessively corroded 7,386
coil spring incomplete 5,157
coil spring fractured 4,494
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 3,944
Full BMW M3 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.

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R281 FAN is a 1997 BMW M3 in Blue with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1997 BMW M3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.9% with a typical mileage of 96,985 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 M3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 14,421 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R281 FAN, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW M3 typically stays on UK roads for around 32 years. At 29 years old, this BMW M3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R281 FAN?

You can check the full history of R281 FAN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R281 FAN registered?

R281 FAN is a 1997 BMW M3, first registered on 5 August 1997.

Is R281 FAN safe to buy?

The MOT history for R281 FAN shows 25 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R281 FAN 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 R281 FAN. 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.