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R3 RUF

1997 BMW M3

Blue Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Jul 2027
Tests24 (22 pass, 2 fail)
Pass rate91.7%

Mileage

84,013 mi
Last recorded84,013 miles
Recorded on3 Jul 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW M396,985 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR3 RUF
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

22 pass 2 fail
Pass 3 Jul 2026 84,013 miles

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

Direction indicator slightly discoloured all 4 (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement nearside & offside trailing arm front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Jul 2025 83,339 miles
Pass 3 Jul 2024 82,763 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Pass 1 Jul 2023 82,336 miles

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

Direction indicator slightly discoloured all (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 5 Jul 2022 81,775 miles

Direction indicator slightly discoloured ALL (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Jul 2021 81,310 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Pass 6 Jul 2020 80,752 miles

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured Both (4.4.3 (a))

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))

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

Pass 6 Jul 2019 79,882 miles

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

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

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

Pass 7 Jul 2018 79,015 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 6 Jul 2017 78,219 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 11 Jul 2016 77,219 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 6 Jul 2015 76,466 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Pass 5 Jul 2014 75,651 miles

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

front and rear direction indicators fading

offside front wiper worn

Pass 10 Jun 2013 74,241 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Oil leak

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

Pass 7 Jun 2012 71,032 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak

front brake discs slightly worn

Pass 20 Jun 2011 68,954 miles

Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

Oil leak

front & rear brake discs slightly worn

srs light on

Fail 13 Jun 2011 68,915 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

Oil leak

air bag light on

front & rear brake discs slightly worn

Pass 12 Jun 2010 67,829 miles

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

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

front brake discs slightly worn

front brake pads becoming low

Pass 20 Jun 2009 66,454 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

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)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

slight play in steering rack

Pass 19 Jun 2009 66,454 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Oil leak

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Rear 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)

airbag light on

slight play in steering rack

Fail 6 Jun 2009 66,309 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Oil leak

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Rear 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)

airbag light on

slight play in steering rack

Pass 7 Jun 2008 62,551 miles

Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

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

front to rear & offside rear metal brake pipes corroded

srs light stays on

Pass 6 Jun 2007 60,146 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Oil leak

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

both headlamp glass chipped

corrosion on front to rear from splitter & offside rear metal brake pipes becoming heavy

play in offside rear wheelbearing becoming heavy

rear brake ferrules corroded

rear brake pads 90% worn

Pass 3 Jun 2006 56,717 miles

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

air bag warning lamp staying on

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

oil leak

power steering pipes damp, nearside gator damp

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

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

R3 RUF is a 1997 BMW M3 in Blue with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 91.7%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 RUF, 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 R3 RUF?

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

What year was R3 RUF registered?

R3 RUF is a 1997 BMW M3, first registered on 28 August 1997.

Is R3 RUF safe to buy?

The MOT history for R3 RUF shows 24 tests with a 91.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R3 RUF 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 RUF. 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.