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S281 CHW

1998 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Mar 2027
Tests37 (21 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate56.8%

Mileage

195,437 mi
Last recorded195,437 miles
Recorded on4 Mar 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS281 CHW
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourBlue
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

21 pass 16 fail
Pass 4 Mar 2026 195,437 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material various pipes (most) greased (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

both headlight beam images are poor

Fail 14 Jan 2026 195,373 miles

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

Front Bumper insecure (6.1.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Central Front Oil leaking continuously from engine posing a serious risk to road safety (8.4.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material various (most) pipes greased (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 20 Feb 2025 187,002 miles

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both front brake disks pitted (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear floor pan corroded slightly

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

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

Fail 10 Feb 2025 186,972 miles

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

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

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear floor pan corroded slightly

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

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

Pass 26 Nov 2024 185,131 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all brake pipes coated/greased not allowing full check (1.1.11 (c))

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Fail 11 Oct 2024 185,093 miles

Front Registration plate inscription illegible broken (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Bonnet primary retaining device ineffective (3.1 (c))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers damaged to the extent that it does not function (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear Parking brake mechanism/associated mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded brake back plate (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Power steering component leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering pipe/hose leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure and impairing directional stability (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 25 Sep 2023 169,196 miles

Front Bumper mountings corroded but not likely to become detached (6.1.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both side (5.3.1 (b) (i))

generally under the car corroded

Pass 19 Oct 2022 159,100 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material o/s front to back (1.1.11 (c))

Brake pipe slightly damaged n/s front to back (1.1.11 (c))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

Fail 18 Oct 2022 159,040 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material o/s front to back (1.1.11 (c))

Brake pipe slightly damaged n/s front to back (1.1.11 (c))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

Pass 13 Oct 2021 148,643 miles

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

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Shock absorbers has light misting of oil and reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 5 Oct 2020 140,289 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 21 Sep 2020 139,854 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn INNER BALL JOINT (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 11 Oct 2019 135,685 miles

Fuel tank strap corroded

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension mount bracket corroded but not structural

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Jacking point corroded but not excessive

Offside Rear Lower Suspension mount bracket corroded but not structural

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

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

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

Pass 19 Oct 2018 133,124 miles

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

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

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

rear exhaust rubber split

Fail 19 Oct 2018 133,123 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

rear exhaust rubber split

Pass 20 Oct 2017 124,915 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Oil leak ()

under trays

Fail 13 Oct 2017 124,845 miles

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Oil leak ()

under trays

Pass 17 Oct 2016 118,099 miles

Offside wing mirror damaged but secure

Fail 17 Oct 2016 118,095 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside wing mirror damaged but secure

Pass 7 Oct 2015 112,954 miles
Fail 6 Oct 2015 112,951 miles

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

Nearside Front Inner Ball joint has excessive play Steering rack (2.2.B.1f)

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

Pass 10 Oct 2014 106,420 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Play detected in nearside inner steering rack joint

Fail 6 Oct 2014 106,392 miles

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

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)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Exhaust rubber mounting broken, but system still adequately supported

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Play detected in nearside inner steering rack joint

Pass 8 Oct 2013 101,738 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2013 101,721 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

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)

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Front suspension components heavily corroded.

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

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

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)

Passengers front seat not moving fore and aft

Wipers only working on fast and intermittent speeds.

Pass 5 Oct 2011 100,487 miles

Air bag light on

All tyres tread slightly perrished

Exhaust hanger split

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Front discs rusty

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside rear brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Oil leak

Rear discs rusty

Slight play in off side steering rack

Strongley advise near side rear brake pipe corroded

Fail 4 Oct 2011 100,476 miles

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

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone 'A' (8.3.1b)

Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Air bag light on

All tyres tread slightly perrished

Exhaust hanger split

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Front discs rusty

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside rear brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Oil leak

Rear discs rusty

Slight play in off side steering rack

Strongley advise near side rear brake pipe corroded

Pass 8 Jul 2010 99,574 miles
Fail 6 Jul 2010 99,574 miles

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

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

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

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

rear discs corroded

Pass 22 Jun 2009 98,731 miles
Fail 18 Jun 2009 98,731 miles

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

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

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

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 5 Jun 2008 95,845 miles

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

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

Fail 18 Jul 2007 92,262 miles

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

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

Pass 18 Jul 2007 92,262 miles

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

Pass 24 Jul 2006 85,628 miles
Fail 20 Jul 2006 85,628 miles

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 14 Jul 2005 77,780 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

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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

S281 CHW is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 37 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.8%.

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 S281 CHW, 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 S281 CHW?

You can check the full history of S281 CHW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S281 CHW registered?

S281 CHW is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 1 August 1998.

Is S281 CHW safe to buy?

The MOT history for S281 CHW shows 37 tests with a 56.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S281 CHW 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 S281 CHW. 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.