CarVerify

Free Car Check

R42 SOB

1998 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 2793cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Nov 2026
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

80,042 mi
Last recorded80,042 miles
Recorded on17 Nov 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR42 SOB
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,793cc

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 12 fail
Pass 17 Nov 2025 80,042 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

vehicle underside corroded

Pass 25 Nov 2024 77,137 miles

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

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

Fail 13 Nov 2024 77,137 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 23 Nov 2023 71,361 miles

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

underside coated in underseal

Fail 15 Nov 2023 71,357 miles

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

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

underside coated in underseal

Pass 18 Nov 2022 70,910 miles

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both inner edges (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 18 Jun 2022 70,892 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm has an unsafe modification welded (5.3.3 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear Suspension arm has an unsafe modification welded (5.3.3 (c) (i))

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

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively both (1.2.1 (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))

corrosion appearing under vehicle

various components covered with underseal including ALL brake pipes

Pass 28 Apr 2021 70,280 miles

Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 5 Nov 2020 70,245 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Obligatory mirror insecure (3.3 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule All (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

all suspension components corroded

Pass 1 May 2019 66,171 miles

chip in windscreen

corrosion to o/s outer sill

corrosion to underside of vehicle

unable to fully assess underside due to vehicle been coating

Fail 29 Apr 2019 66,169 miles

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

chip in windscreen

corrosion to o/s outer sill

corrosion to underside of vehicle

unable to fully assess underside due to vehicle been coating

Pass 5 May 2018 61,949 miles
Pass 19 Aug 2017 61,375 miles
Fail 22 Jun 2017 61,363 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 13 Jun 2016 59,769 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 13 Jun 2016 59,769 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 19 Jun 2015 58,185 miles

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 19 Jun 2015 58,185 miles

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

Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 11 Jun 2014 56,980 miles

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

slight binding of both front brakes (vehicle looks as if its been stood a while)

Fail 11 Jun 2014 56,980 miles

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

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

slight binding of both front brakes (vehicle looks as if its been stood a while)

Pass 25 Jun 2013 55,731 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2013 55,772 miles

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 25 Jun 2012 54,156 miles

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

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

n/s and o/s rear handbrake cables deteriated

Pass 23 Jun 2011 52,084 miles

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

Pass 22 Jun 2010 50,018 miles

n/s and o/s rear brake discs slightly pitted adges

Fail 22 Jun 2010 50,018 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

n/s and o/s rear brake discs slightly pitted adges

Pass 2 Jul 2009 48,195 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

both front tyres worn on inner edge

o/s/f tyre wall cracked

Fail 11 Jul 2008 46,658 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

both front tyres wearing on inner edge

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Pass 11 Jul 2008 46,658 miles

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

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

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

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

both front tyres wearing on inner edge

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Pass 3 Jul 2007 45,118 miles

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

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

Offside Front 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)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 12 Apr 2006 40,823 miles

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

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

nail in tyre

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

R42 SOB is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

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 R42 SOB, 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 R42 SOB?

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

What year was R42 SOB registered?

R42 SOB is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is R42 SOB safe to buy?

The MOT history for R42 SOB shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R42 SOB 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 SOB. 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.