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R42 BSF

1997 BMW M3

Green Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Aug 2026
Tests18 (14 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate77.8%

Mileage

105,530 mi
Last recorded105,530 miles
Recorded on15 Aug 2025
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

RegistrationR42 BSF
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

14 pass 4 fail
Pass 15 Aug 2025 105,530 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2024 104,499 miles
Pass 12 Oct 2022 103,494 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2021 103,010 miles

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

Fail 5 Jul 2021 103,010 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 2 May 2019 101,637 miles
Pass 28 Jun 2017 101,129 miles
Pass 2 Oct 2015 100,743 miles
Pass 18 Jul 2014 99,873 miles
Pass 7 Jun 2013 98,646 miles

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

signs of corrosion on fuel pipes

signs of slight corrosion on suspension components

Fail 31 May 2013 98,613 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

signs of corrosion on fuel pipes

signs of slight corrosion on suspension components

Fail 27 Nov 2010 97,500 miles

Nearside Front All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 27 Nov 2010 97,500 miles
Pass 8 May 2009 91,546 miles

Front suspension has slight play in a track control arm inner bush (2.5.B.2b)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

off side rear inner side light not working

Fail 6 May 2009 91,545 miles

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

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

Front suspension has slight play in a track control arm inner bush (2.5.B.2b)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

off side rear inner side light not working

Pass 2 Apr 2008 82,885 miles

front tyres worn 2mm on edges 225/40/zr18 88y

jacking blocks missing

Pass 11 Apr 2007 74,234 miles
Pass 18 May 2006 62,049 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 exhaust clamp corrode badly

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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R42 BSF is a 1997 BMW M3 in Green with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 77.8%.

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 R42 BSF, 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 R42 BSF?

You can check the full history of R42 BSF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R42 BSF registered?

R42 BSF is a 1997 BMW M3, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R42 BSF safe to buy?

The MOT history for R42 BSF shows 18 tests with a 77.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R42 BSF 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 R42 BSF. 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.