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R97 VUX

1998 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Jun 2027
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

156,390 mi
Last recorded156,390 miles
Recorded on8 Jun 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR97 VUX
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourBlue
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 10 fail
Pass 8 Jun 2026 156,390 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 6 Jun 2026 156,390 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 default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 17 Jul 2023 156,318 miles

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

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

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front To Rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 5 Jul 2023 156,318 miles

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

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

Fuel pipe leaking RETURN (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front To Rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 17 Jun 2022 156,200 miles

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

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front To Rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front To Rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 11 Jun 2022 156,197 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

Central Lower Fuel pipe leaking from tank (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn loose (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 225/45/17 (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front To Rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front To Rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Jun 2021 156,053 miles

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front To Rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front To Rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 10 Jun 2021 156,053 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front To Rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front To Rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Apr 2019 155,927 miles

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

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

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Pass 25 Apr 2018 155,707 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

o/s/ sill corroded outside prescribed area

Pass 25 Jan 2017 155,076 miles
Fail 11 Jan 2017 155,074 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

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

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

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

Wheel stud(s) missing 1 from each wheel (4.2.A.1e)

Pass 19 Jan 2016 153,237 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded x2 (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel inner joint (2.2.A.1b)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (5.2.6)

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

lowered coil springs fitted

passenger door mirror glass damaged

wide wheels and tyres fitted

Pass 15 Jan 2015 144,978 miles

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 13 Nov 2014 143,525 miles

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

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

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 10 Jan 2014 141,722 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension 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)

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

Fail 8 Jan 2014 141,722 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension 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)

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 24 Jan 2013 131,427 miles
Fail 19 Jan 2013 131,427 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust tailpipe not capable of allowing the emission probe to be inserted (7.3.D.1)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Front brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1)

Offside Front brake disc contaminated by brake fluid (3.5.1h)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 24 Nov 2011 114,367 miles
Pass 22 Oct 2010 97,309 miles
Pass 1 Oct 2009 81,938 miles

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Fail 28 Sep 2009 81,938 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Pass 15 Oct 2008 75,050 miles

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

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

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

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

drivers seat base loose

Fail 15 Oct 2008 75,050 miles

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

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

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

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

drivers seat base loose

Pass 8 Nov 2007 65,803 miles
Pass 24 Oct 2007 65,803 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2007 65,737 miles
Pass 27 Sep 2006 59,864 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2005 54,044 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

R97 VUX is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 R97 VUX, 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 R97 VUX?

You can check the full history of R97 VUX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R97 VUX registered?

R97 VUX is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 27 February 1998.

Is R97 VUX safe to buy?

The MOT history for R97 VUX shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R97 VUX 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 R97 VUX. 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.