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R3 MFE

1998 BMW M3

Yellow Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Sep 2026
Tests30 (18 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

144,824 mi
Last recorded144,824 miles
Recorded on15 Aug 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW M387,931 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

RegistrationR3 MFE
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1998
ColourYellow
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

18 pass 12 fail
Pass 15 Aug 2025 144,824 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated Nearside and Offside (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Sep 2024 143,545 miles

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

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

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated Nearside and Offside (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Aug 2024 143,537 miles

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated Nearside and Offside (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Sep 2023 142,140 miles

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Nearside and Offside (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Sep 2022 140,382 miles

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

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

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

Fail 30 Aug 2022 140,353 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 31 Aug 2021 138,363 miles

Handbrake travel close to excessive

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Jacking points and sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 19 Aug 2021 138,254 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Handbrake travel close to excessive

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Jacking points and sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 24 Aug 2020 136,247 miles

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

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

corrosion to sills and jacking points

parking brake travel close to excessive

Fail 19 Aug 2020 136,244 miles

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

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

corrosion to sills and jacking points

parking brake travel close to excessive

Pass 30 Aug 2019 134,434 miles

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

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

corrosion to underside , sills, wheel arches, jacking points and floors

park brake travel long

Fail 30 Aug 2019 134,434 miles

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

corrosion to underside , sills, wheel arches, jacking points and floors

park brake travel long

Fail 13 Aug 2019 134,396 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Corrosion to rear inner sills, jacking points, wheel arches & offside front floor area

Hand brake lever travel long

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 15 Aug 2018 132,669 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

both rear tyres wearing low

corrosion to sills, jacking areas and wheel arches

Pass 16 Aug 2017 130,444 miles

Oil leak ()

slight corrosion to sills/ jacking points - outer sill covers fitted

Fail 15 Aug 2017 130,437 miles

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill/ jacking point (5.2.6)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Oil leak ()

slight corrosion to sills/ jacking points - outer sill covers fitted

Pass 8 Sep 2016 130,029 miles

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

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

air conditioning belt perished

offside steering rack damp with oil

plastic sill covers fitted

slight corrosion on both inner sills

Fail 1 Sep 2016 130,027 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Lower Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush rose bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush rose bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

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

air conditioning belt perished

offside steering rack damp with oil

plastic sill covers fitted

slight corrosion on both inner sills

Pass 4 Apr 2012 126,694 miles

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

Offside Rear Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

plastic sill covers fitted preventing full inspection

slight corrosion to both rear wheel arches

Fail 4 Apr 2012 126,694 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Offside Rear Radius arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

plastic sill covers fitted preventing full inspection

slight corrosion to both rear wheel arches

Fail 26 Apr 2011 123,658 miles

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

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

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

Offside Power steering ram(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

near side front tyre worn on inner and outer edges//tracking required

Pass 26 Apr 2011 123,658 miles

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

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

Offside Power steering ram(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

near side front tyre worn on inner and outer edges//tracking required

Pass 23 Apr 2010 119,457 miles

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 25 Mar 2009 118,583 miles
Fail 11 Mar 2009 118,563 miles

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

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

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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

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

Pass 3 Mar 2008 113,639 miles

Oil leak

Pass 13 Nov 2007 113,568 miles

Oil leak

Fail 10 Nov 2007 113,568 miles

Front registration plate has a feature which changes the appearance or legibility of the characters (6.3.4c)

Rear registration plate has a feature which changes the appearance or legibility of the characters (6.3.4c)

Oil leak

Pass 14 Nov 2006 110,124 miles

advise o-s-f fog light inop †advise slight play in steering rack

Pass 29 Oct 2005 98,069 miles

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R3 MFE is a 1998 BMW M3 in Yellow with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1998 BMW M3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.8% with a typical mileage of 87,931 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 R3 MFE, 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 28 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 R3 MFE?

You can check the full history of R3 MFE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R3 MFE registered?

R3 MFE is a 1998 BMW M3, first registered on 2 January 1998.

Is R3 MFE safe to buy?

The MOT history for R3 MFE shows 30 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 R3 MFE 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 R3 MFE. 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.