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R438 EDL

1998 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 2793cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Apr 2027
Tests21 (15 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

127,856 mi
Last recorded127,856 miles
Recorded on22 Apr 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR438 EDL
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

15 pass 6 fail
Pass 22 Apr 2026 127,856 miles

Both rear brake discs have corrosion to surfaces at time of test

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

High level stop lamp not working

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

Nearside number plate lamp has a reduced output

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))

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

Pass 31 Jan 2024 119,629 miles

Central Corrosion on exhaust system

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Both front brake discs (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Number plate light working but dim

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

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

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

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

Fail 15 Dec 2023 119,552 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Emissions unable to be completed Due to Major Exhaust leak and engine cutting out (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Upper boot (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively chafed (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake hose excessively chafed (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Upper boot (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Inner Brake hose excessively chafed Inner brake hose (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Inner face of both front brake discs (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources Lamp not properly illuminating (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

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

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

Pass 16 Dec 2022 112,096 miles

Brake disc worn, but not excessively All Brake Discs Slightly Worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Whole Vehicle structure slightly corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 18 Nov 2022 112,049 miles

Emissions not tested exhaust leak lambda high (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced faded and dull (4.1.4 (b))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Pass 1 Nov 2021 107,062 miles

Central Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement top mount (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement top mount (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Nov 2020 104,175 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut mounting damaged but not seriously weakened top mount (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Macpherson strut mounting damaged but not seriously weakened top mount (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 2 Nov 2020 104,775 miles

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

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut mounting damaged but not seriously weakened top mount (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Macpherson strut mounting damaged but not seriously weakened top mount (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 28 May 2019 100,040 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 25 May 2019 100,040 miles

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

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle 44% (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Pass 9 May 2018 96,566 miles
Fail 8 May 2018 96,563 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 10 Jun 2015 96,393 miles
Pass 18 Mar 2013 94,300 miles
Pass 11 Apr 2012 92,636 miles
Fail 4 Jun 2010 87,217 miles

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 4 Jun 2010 87,217 miles

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

Pass 5 Jun 2009 77,765 miles

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)

Pass 24 Jun 2008 67,311 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting worn but its strength is not seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting worn but its strength is not seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Pass 19 Jun 2007 64,252 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

near-side and off-side rear axle outer rubber mountings starting to deteriorate

Pass 29 Jun 2006 58,834 miles

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

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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

R438 EDL is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

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 R438 EDL, 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 R438 EDL?

You can check the full history of R438 EDL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R438 EDL registered?

R438 EDL is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is R438 EDL safe to buy?

The MOT history for R438 EDL shows 21 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R438 EDL 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 R438 EDL. 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.