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R581 WLL

1998 BMW M3

Purple Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Apr 2027
Tests27 (15 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

120,424 mi
Last recorded120,424 miles
Recorded on14 Apr 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW M387,931 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR581 WLL
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year1998
ColourPurple
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

15 pass 12 fail
Pass 14 Apr 2026 120,424 miles
Pass 12 Aug 2020 118,666 miles

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

Front power steering leak.

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

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

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

Fail 30 Jul 2020 118,665 miles

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

Nearside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Front power steering leak.

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

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

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

Pass 29 May 2019 118,425 miles

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

Central Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Fail 15 May 2019 118,425 miles

Offside Front Inner Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Inner Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Central Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 23 May 2018 117,450 miles

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))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Pass 26 May 2017 116,292 miles

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion jacking point (6.1.A.1)

Fail 28 Apr 2017 116,288 miles

Central Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion jacking point (6.1.B.2)

Pass 18 Apr 2016 115,033 miles

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened spring bed (2.4.G.1)

Fail 13 Apr 2016 115,033 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened spring bed (2.4.G.1)

Pass 25 Mar 2015 113,682 miles

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

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 24 Mar 2015 113,679 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Mar 2014 112,521 miles

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

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

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

Pass 15 Feb 2013 110,875 miles

Bonnet retaining device slightly deteriorated (8.4.2)

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

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

Fail 13 Feb 2013 110,875 miles

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

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

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

Bonnet retaining device slightly deteriorated (8.4.2)

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

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

Pass 10 Feb 2012 103,648 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 7 Feb 2012 103,623 miles

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 Jan 2011 96,463 miles
Fail 20 Jan 2011 96,463 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Pass 8 Dec 2009 90,299 miles
Fail 4 Dec 2009 90,299 miles

Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 30 Jan 2009 85,774 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 4 Dec 2008 85,253 miles

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 13 Nov 2007 81,566 miles
Fail 2 Nov 2007 81,566 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 25 Sep 2006 77,517 miles
Fail 12 Sep 2006 77,418 miles

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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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R581 WLL is a 1998 BMW M3 in Purple with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

Across all 1998 BMW M3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.8% with a typical mileage of 87,931 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 M3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 14,421 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R581 WLL, 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 28 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 R581 WLL?

You can check the full history of R581 WLL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R581 WLL registered?

R581 WLL is a 1998 BMW M3, first registered on 27 April 1998.

Is R581 WLL safe to buy?

The MOT history for R581 WLL shows 27 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R581 WLL 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 R581 WLL. 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.