CarVerify

Free Car Check

R981 VKJ

1998 BMW Z3

Red Petrol 2793cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires8 Aug 2024
Tests24 (14 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

89,128 mi
Last recorded89,128 miles
Recorded on9 Aug 2023
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR981 VKJ
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourRed
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

14 pass 10 fail
Pass 9 Aug 2023 89,128 miles
Pass 17 May 2022 89,018 miles
Pass 24 Jun 2021 88,973 miles
Fail 22 Jun 2021 88,970 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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 14 May 2019 85,714 miles

Offside Front Driver's door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

minor exhaust blow

rear suspension arms starting to rust

Fail 8 May 2019 85,708 miles

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))

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

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

Offside Front Driver's door catch deteriorated so the door cannot be readily opened or closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

minor exhaust blow

rear suspension arms starting to rust

Pass 2 May 2018 81,989 miles

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced both lamps (1.7.5a)

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

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

offside rear coil spring rusty

Fail 27 Apr 2018 81,989 miles

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

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced both lamps (1.7.5a)

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

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

offside rear coil spring rusty

Fail 29 Mar 2018 81,988 miles

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

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

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

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

Power steering inoperative (2.3.3a)

Power steering pump leaking from a failed joint (2.3.3b)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

nearside rear spring broken

nearside rear spring rusty

Pass 17 Jan 2017 81,872 miles

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced both lamps (1.7.5a)

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

Fail 16 Jan 2017 81,872 miles

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm plus splits in bald part of tyre (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced both lamps (1.7.5a)

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced both lamps (1.7.5a)

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced both lamps (1.7.5a)

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

Pass 17 Jul 2015 78,569 miles

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

Fail 17 Jul 2015 78,569 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

nearside rear brake slightly binding

Pass 21 Jul 2014 75,971 miles
Fail 15 Jul 2014 75,875 miles

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

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

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

diff oil leak

pad warning light on

Pass 29 May 2013 72,496 miles

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

Offside front tyre wearing on inner edge

Rear brake pipes slightly corroded

Pass 29 May 2012 69,200 miles

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

o/s/r tyre wearing inner edge

rear diff small leak

Fail 31 May 2011 65,666 miles

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

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

engine oil low

Pass 31 May 2011 65,666 miles

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

engine oil low

Pass 12 Apr 2010 60,110 miles

steering need tracking

Fail 10 Apr 2010 60,110 miles

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

steering need tracking

Pass 2 Apr 2009 54,235 miles

n/s/f shock slightly weak

Pass 31 Oct 2007 48,388 miles
Fail 31 Oct 2007 48,388 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

o/s/f seat belt lock samtimes jams

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

R981 VKJ is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Red with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

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 R981 VKJ, 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 R981 VKJ?

You can check the full history of R981 VKJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R981 VKJ registered?

R981 VKJ is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 2 January 1998.

Is R981 VKJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for R981 VKJ shows 24 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R981 VKJ 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 R981 VKJ. 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.