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S161 SWC

1998 BMW Z3

Black Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires17 Sep 2025
Tests31 (17 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate54.8%

Mileage

120,116 mi
Last recorded120,116 miles
Recorded on17 Aug 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS161 SWC
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourBlack
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

17 pass 14 fail
Fail 17 Aug 2026 120,116 miles

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

Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard (8.2.1.1 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Rear Window in an unacceptable condition (3.2 (c) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

reverse lights not working

Fail 22 Oct 2025 120,082 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect lens detiorated (4.1.2 (c))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 18 Sep 2024 116,841 miles

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Fail 12 Sep 2024 116,840 miles

Emissions unable to be completed excessive leak (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases rear silencer (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Obligatory mirror does not provide a view to the rear (3.3 (c))

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

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 7 Jun 2023 116,777 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

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

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

Obligatory indirect vision device slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 29 Sep 2021 116,544 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both side (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Zone B Stone Chip (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Fail 20 Sep 2021 116,412 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Central Front Oil leak, but not excessive engine - behind pulley area (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 29 Sep 2020 114,178 miles

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rearmost (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Sep 2020 114,178 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 205/60/15 (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rearmost (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Apr 2019 111,124 miles

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

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

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

Fail 8 Apr 2019 111,124 miles

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 10 Apr 2018 108,172 miles

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

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases box (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 205/60/15 (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

Fail 10 Apr 2018 108,172 miles

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

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases box (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 205/60/15 (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Apr 2017 95,323 miles

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

brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both front (3.5.1i)

offside front tyre cracking

Fail 12 Apr 2017 95,323 miles

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both front (3.5.1i)

offside front tyre cracking

Pass 15 Apr 2016 76,359 miles
Pass 6 Feb 2015 76,173 miles

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

Oil leak

Fail 6 Feb 2015 76,173 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Oil leak

Pass 29 Jan 2014 70,080 miles

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

Oil leak

under vehicle wet at the time of test

Fail 29 Jan 2014 70,080 miles

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

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

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

Oil leak

under vehicle wet at the time of test

Pass 28 Jan 2013 63,557 miles

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

Oil leak

Fail 28 Jan 2013 63,557 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 31 Jan 2012 60,735 miles
Pass 14 Jan 2011 55,298 miles

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

offside front tyre cut side wall

Fail 14 Jan 2011 55,294 miles

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)

Front registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

Pass 15 Jan 2010 50,897 miles

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

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

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

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

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

front number plate deteriorated

Fail 15 Jan 2010 50,897 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

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

front number plate deteriorated

Pass 12 Jan 2009 46,844 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Pass 7 Dec 2007 40,906 miles
Fail 7 Dec 2007 40,906 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecure (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 31 Oct 2006 35,811 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

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

S161 SWC is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Black with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.8%.

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 SWC, 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 SWC?

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

What year was S161 SWC registered?

S161 SWC is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 1 August 1998.

Is S161 SWC safe to buy?

The MOT history for S161 SWC shows 31 tests with a 54.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S161 SWC 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 SWC. 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.