CarVerify

Free Car Check

R496 BWU

1998 BMW Z3

Silver Petrol 1895cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires28 Aug 2026
Tests25 (20 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80%

Mileage

143,538 mi
Last recorded143,538 miles
Recorded on29 Aug 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR496 BWU
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,895cc

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

20 pass 5 fail
Pass 29 Aug 2025 143,538 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

underbody corrosion

Fail 14 Aug 2025 143,536 miles

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

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

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 Inner Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

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

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened osf and nsf (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output osf and nsf (4.1.4 (b))

Front Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush top mounts osf and nsf (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 5 Aug 2024 140,001 miles

Front Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside outer bolt on sill cover corroded

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing outer side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside outer bolt on sill cover corroded

Pass 11 Aug 2023 139,140 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside sill cover corroded

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside sill cover corroded

Fail 24 Oct 2022 139,132 miles

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor / sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Inner sill corroded

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

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

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

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

Rear Gearbox mounting defective ()

both outer sill cover corroded

under side corroded

Pass 21 Oct 2021 135,085 miles
Pass 22 Oct 2020 128,180 miles
Pass 24 Oct 2019 121,287 miles

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

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

Pass 16 Oct 2018 115,382 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Oct 2017 108,820 miles

rear brake pipes corroded

slight play offside front lower ball joint

Pass 5 Sep 2016 102,599 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

differential mount bush worn/un bonding from housing

front brake pads getting low

front registration plate damaged/cracked

headlight lenses deteriorated/misty

n/s/f tyre worn close to the legal limit

n/s/r brake pipe corroded

n/s/r wheel has been repaired

o/s/r tyre worn close to the legal limit

oil leak

rear brake discs corroded

Fail 1 Sep 2016 102,599 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

differential mount bush worn/un bonding from housing

front registration plate damaged/cracked

headlight lenses deteriorated/misty

n/s windscreen wiper blade split at ends

n/s/f tyre worn close to the legal limit

n/s/r brake pipe corroded

n/s/r wheel has been repaired

o/s/r tyre worn close to the legal limit

oil leak

rear brake discs corroded

Pass 4 Aug 2015 91,665 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

both rear brake disc's slightly corroded

front exhaust clamp loose

slight play in driver's seat runner

Pass 12 Aug 2014 84,952 miles

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 11 Aug 2014 84,944 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 8 Aug 2013 83,276 miles
Pass 23 Aug 2012 80,391 miles
Fail 20 Aug 2012 80,391 miles

Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Pass 16 Jun 2011 76,640 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

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

Pass 15 Jun 2010 75,118 miles

Centre 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)

Pass 15 Jun 2009 74,068 miles

rear silencer and mid section of exaust corroded

Pass 13 Jun 2008 72,407 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Oil leak

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

engine misfire at idle

rear discs rusty lip over half inch thick

Pass 15 Jun 2007 70,969 miles

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

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

Pass 13 Jun 2006 67,462 miles
Pass 15 Jun 2005 61,384 miles

Lower Steering Coupling has slight play

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

R496 BWU is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Silver with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R496 BWU, 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 R496 BWU?

You can check the full history of R496 BWU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R496 BWU registered?

R496 BWU is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is R496 BWU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R496 BWU shows 25 tests with a 80% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R496 BWU 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 R496 BWU. 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.