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S161 AJW

1998 BMW Z3

Silver Petrol 2793cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Jul 2027
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

93,498 mi
Last recorded93,498 miles
Recorded on16 Jul 2026
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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS161 AJW
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourSilver
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

19 pass 10 fail
Pass 16 Jul 2026 93,498 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 10 Oct 2023 91,258 miles

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 28 Sep 2023 91,206 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning High level (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Washer jet blocked. Nearside still provides sufficient fluid

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 29 Sep 2022 88,147 miles

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

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

Fail 16 Sep 2022 88,147 miles

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

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

Offside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

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

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

Pass 13 Sep 2021 86,754 miles

Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened both side (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

front offside & nearside track rod arms corroded

offside & nearside sill covers fitted

Fail 13 Sep 2021 86,754 miles

Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened both side (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

front offside & nearside track rod arms corroded

offside & nearside sill covers fitted

Pass 16 Sep 2020 85,018 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

steering and suspension components corroded

Fail 16 Sep 2020 85,018 miles

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

steering and suspension components corroded

Pass 13 May 2019 81,205 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

offside & nearside outer sill covers fitted

offside & nearside steering arms corroded front

Pass 29 May 2018 77,619 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 2 May 2017 74,197 miles

Central Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.2.1b)

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Nearside rear Tyre wearing smooth on inner tread.

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

Fail 2 May 2017 74,191 miles

Front registration plate has a feature which changes the appearance or legibility of the characters (6.3.4c)

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

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

Central Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.2.1b)

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

Nearside front brake binding slightly .

Nearside rear Tyre wearing smooth on inner tread.

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

Pass 25 May 2016 69,995 miles

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

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

Pass 28 May 2015 68,144 miles

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

Offside Front suspension has slight play in an outer ball joint (2.5.B.2a)

Pass 21 May 2014 66,310 miles

Exhaust front support bracket corroding away.

Fuel tank support bracket corroded.

Majority of front suspension and steering components covered with corrosion.

Nearside front Tyre wearing on inner tread.

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside front Tyre has cracks in sidewalls and tread and wearing on inner tread.

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 1 Jun 2013 64,776 miles

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 1 Jun 2013 64,776 miles

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 26 May 2012 62,473 miles

FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING COMPONENTS COVERED IN SURFACE RUST

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 26 May 2012 62,473 miles

FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING COMPONENTS COVERED IN SURFACE RUST

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 12 May 2011 61,007 miles

Front suspension and steering components covered in surface rust.

Nearside front Tyre wearing on inner edge.

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 12 May 2011 61,007 miles

Front suspension and steering components covered in surface rust.

Nearside front Tyre wearing on inner edge.

Pass 17 May 2010 54,803 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Pass 19 May 2009 49,720 miles
Fail 9 May 2009 49,512 miles

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

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

Pass 24 May 2008 43,949 miles
Fail 10 May 2008 43,734 miles

Front front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 26 May 2007 41,213 miles

rear exhaust corroded

Pass 27 May 2006 38,564 miles

rear exhaust corroded

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

S161 AJW is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Silver with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

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 S161 AJW, 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 S161 AJW?

You can check the full history of S161 AJW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S161 AJW registered?

S161 AJW is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 19 August 1998.

Is S161 AJW safe to buy?

The MOT history for S161 AJW shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S161 AJW 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 S161 AJW. 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.