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S17 OCT

1998 BMW M3

Purple Petrol 3201cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires31 May 2027
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

177,280 mi
Last recorded177,280 miles
Recorded on1 Jun 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW M387,931 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

RegistrationS17 OCT
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

19 pass 12 fail
Pass 1 Jun 2026 177,280 miles

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn differentials/axle bushes worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

covers on outer sills

Fail 15 May 2026 177,279 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at jacking points (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn differentials/axle bushes worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

covers on outer sills

Pass 11 Apr 2025 176,744 miles

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside number plate light very dim compared to offside

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 7 May 2024 174,842 miles
Pass 10 Sep 2021 174,244 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2020 173,491 miles
Fail 4 Sep 2020 173,486 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 11 Sep 2019 165,688 miles

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

Pass 10 Aug 2018 154,126 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2017 142,284 miles
Pass 9 Sep 2016 135,757 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm synthetic mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear bushes (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm synthetic mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear bushes (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 13 Aug 2015 129,235 miles

All four tyres worn slightly on inner edge

Both sides rear suspension bushes (towards front) deteriorated but no excessive movement

Rear boot lid corroded on bottom edge but covered with duck tape

Fail 11 Aug 2015 129,233 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill and floor area (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill and floor area (2.4.A.3)

All four tyres worn slightly on inner edge

Both sides rear suspension bushes (towards front) deteriorated but no excessive movement

Rear boot lid corroded on bottom edge but covered with duck tape

Pass 21 Nov 2013 120,992 miles

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 9 Nov 2013 120,985 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 19 Nov 2012 109,072 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Fail 19 Nov 2012 109,072 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Pass 1 Nov 2011 100,205 miles
Fail 4 Oct 2011 99,956 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Front discs worn.

Pass 28 Sep 2010 90,232 miles
Fail 13 Sep 2010 90,232 miles

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

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Rear Road wheel bead rim badly distorted (4.2.A.1a) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Pass 30 Sep 2009 81,676 miles
Fail 2 Sep 2009 81,676 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

Pass 23 Aug 2008 80,921 miles

Oil leak

Fail 22 Aug 2008 80,921 miles

An item not tested (Manual)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 7 Aug 2007 79,993 miles
Fail 3 Aug 2007 79,993 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Inner Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Rear registration plate obscured (6.3.1d)

Pass 10 Aug 2006 76,356 miles
Fail 10 Aug 2006 76,356 miles

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

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Pass 11 Aug 2005 67,854 miles
Fail 8 Aug 2005 67,854 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

o/s/r drive shaft bolt missing

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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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.

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S17 OCT is a 1998 BMW M3 in Purple with a 3,201cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

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 S17 OCT, 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 S17 OCT?

You can check the full history of S17 OCT by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S17 OCT registered?

S17 OCT is a 1998 BMW M3, first registered on 13 August 1998.

Is S17 OCT safe to buy?

The MOT history for S17 OCT shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S17 OCT 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 S17 OCT. 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.