CarVerify

Free Car Check

R285 WAW

1998 BMW Z3

Red Petrol 1900cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Jul 2027
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

176,999 mi
Last recorded176,999 miles
Recorded on13 Jul 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR285 WAW
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,900cc

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 11 fail
Pass 13 Jul 2026 176,999 miles

All four tyres starting to perish

Fail 6 Jul 2026 176,997 miles

Offside Front Brake pad(s) incorrectly mounted friction material detached from backing plate (1.1.13 (c)) DANGEROUS

All four tyres starting to perish

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 9 Jul 2025 176,286 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre

Pass 20 Nov 2023 175,157 miles

Nearside Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 12 Nov 2022 174,265 miles
Pass 16 Sep 2021 168,805 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2020 163,223 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2019 157,242 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2018 150,545 miles
Pass 2 Oct 2017 142,844 miles
Fail 28 Sep 2017 142,840 miles

Offside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play outer rack joint (2.2.B.1g)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating (1.1.A.3b)

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

Pass 5 Jul 2016 134,015 miles

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

Fail 27 Jun 2016 134,008 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 emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

Offside Tyre(s) incorrect because tyres fitted to all steerable axle are not of the same structure (4.1.A.2c)

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

Pass 13 Oct 2015 133,928 miles

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

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

front brake discs corroding / rusty

front tyres near limit

rear brake pipes corroding / rusty

Fail 5 Aug 2015 133,920 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

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)

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

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Oil leak

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Slight play in offside front inner rack joint

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

Various underbody corrosion

Fail 16 Jun 2015 133,902 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Rear Electrical wiring insecure (1.9.2a)

Nearside Front Road wheel bead rim badly distorted (4.2.A.1a) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (4.1.D.2) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tyre incorrectly seated on the wheel rim (4.1.D.1d) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Road wheel badly damaged (4.2.A.1a) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Road wheel cracked (4.2.A.1a) DANGEROUS

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

rear metal brake pipes corroded and greased

rear suspension corroded

nsr tyre inner edge bald, cuts in tread,worn near limit

Fail 12 Jun 2014 129,731 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 12 Jun 2014 129,731 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Pass 14 Feb 2013 123,838 miles
Pass 25 Oct 2011 120,906 miles
Fail 25 Oct 2011 120,901 miles

Offside Front Suspension has inadequate clearance with the bump stop (2.4.A.1a)

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Pass 26 Oct 2010 117,769 miles
Fail 23 Oct 2010 117,760 miles

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 2 Oct 2009 109,448 miles
Fail 1 Oct 2009 109,448 miles

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

Pass 16 Sep 2008 98,669 miles
Fail 11 Sep 2008 98,669 miles

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

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Sep 2007 92,492 miles
Pass 17 Jan 2006 90,083 miles
Fail 16 Jan 2006 90,083 miles

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

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

R285 WAW is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Red with a 1,900cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

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 R285 WAW, 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 R285 WAW?

You can check the full history of R285 WAW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R285 WAW registered?

R285 WAW is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 20 March 1998.

Is R285 WAW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R285 WAW shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R285 WAW 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 R285 WAW. 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.