CarVerify

Free Car Check

S260 NLM

1998 BMW Z3

Black Petrol 1895cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires21 Aug 2026
Tests32 (19 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate59.4%

Mileage

124,302 mi
Last recorded124,302 miles
Recorded on22 Aug 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationS260 NLM
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

19 pass 13 fail
Pass 22 Aug 2025 124,302 miles

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Fail 22 Aug 2025 124,302 miles

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

Offside Front Obligatory mirror missing (3.3 (a))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Fail 25 Sep 2024 124,293 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.2.2 (e))

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

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 15 Sep 2023 123,850 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (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))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 15 Sep 2023 123,850 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Pass 26 Sep 2022 122,219 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (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 Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 13 Sep 2022 122,219 miles

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (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 pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (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 10 Sep 2021 121,324 miles
Fail 10 Sep 2021 121,324 miles

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

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

Pass 11 Sep 2020 118,943 miles
Fail 4 Sep 2020 118,943 miles

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

Nearside Front Inner Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 18 Sep 2019 115,671 miles

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

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

Fail 12 Sep 2019 115,667 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))

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

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

Pass 17 Sep 2018 111,240 miles
Fail 12 Sep 2018 111,238 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

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))

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))

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

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

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 14 Sep 2017 107,369 miles

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

Fail 13 Sep 2017 107,353 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)

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 9 Sep 2016 102,508 miles

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 16 Sep 2015 96,861 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Fail 15 Sep 2015 96,830 miles

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

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

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Pass 7 Aug 2014 90,816 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 29 Aug 2013 86,005 miles
Fail 4 Sep 2012 81,233 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 4 Sep 2012 81,233 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Pass 1 Sep 2011 74,725 miles
Fail 30 Aug 2011 74,681 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 1 Sep 2010 68,652 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Pass 22 Aug 2009 63,242 miles

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

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

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

slight play in nearside steering arm

Pass 23 Aug 2008 57,010 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Fail 19 Aug 2008 57,010 miles

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

Pass 25 Aug 2007 52,854 miles
Pass 4 Apr 2006 44,244 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

S260 NLM is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Black with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.4%.

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 S260 NLM, 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 S260 NLM?

You can check the full history of S260 NLM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S260 NLM registered?

S260 NLM is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 7 October 1998.

Is S260 NLM safe to buy?

The MOT history for S260 NLM shows 32 tests with a 59.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S260 NLM 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 S260 NLM. 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.