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R524 VBY

1997 BMW M3

Black Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Dec 2026
Tests25 (20 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80%

Mileage

61,408 mi
Last recorded61,408 miles
Recorded on5 Dec 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

RegistrationR524 VBY
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1997
ColourBlack
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

20 pass 5 fail
Pass 5 Dec 2025 61,408 miles

Nearside Front Outer Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Outer Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 30 Dec 2024 61,006 miles

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

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

Offside Front Inner Steering linkage ball joint has slight play track rod (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 11 Dec 2023 60,552 miles

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Outer Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Offside Front Outer Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

Pass 15 Dec 2022 60,072 miles

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

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Jacking point (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Jacking point (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Pass 15 Dec 2021 59,721 miles

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

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

Pass 17 Dec 2020 59,308 miles
Pass 23 Dec 2019 58,817 miles
Pass 24 Dec 2018 58,376 miles

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

Fail 24 Dec 2018 58,376 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

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

Pass 15 Nov 2017 58,007 miles

Oil leak Rear diff ()

Pass 10 Nov 2016 57,296 miles

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 18 Nov 2015 56,609 miles

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

Pass 14 Nov 2014 55,684 miles

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

Pass 19 Nov 2013 52,832 miles

front brake disks corroded

slight mist of oil around power steering resevoir and joining pipes

Fail 19 Nov 2013 52,832 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

front brake disks corroded

slight mist of oil around power steering resevoir and joining pipes

Fail 7 Oct 2013 52,817 miles

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

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Oil leak

rear brake disks scored and worn

Pass 2 Aug 2012 51,108 miles

both rear shock top mounts have slight play

Pass 3 Aug 2011 49,766 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2010 48,385 miles
Fail 19 Jul 2010 48,385 miles

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

Nearside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a) DANGEROUS

Pass 30 Jul 2009 46,099 miles

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

o/s/f brake hose starting to go out of shape.

rear no. plate backing starting to lift.

Pass 24 Jul 2008 42,816 miles

both rear tyres 2mm.oil leak on rear diff

Fail 3 Aug 2007 38,544 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Pass 3 Aug 2007 38,544 miles

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

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

Pass 2 Aug 2006 34,095 miles

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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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.

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R524 VBY is a 1997 BMW M3 in Black with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80%.

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 R524 VBY, 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 R524 VBY?

You can check the full history of R524 VBY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R524 VBY registered?

R524 VBY is a 1997 BMW M3, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R524 VBY safe to buy?

The MOT history for R524 VBY 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 R524 VBY 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 R524 VBY. 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.