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S781 DFA

1998 BMW Z3

Red Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires1 Aug 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

112,544 mi
Last recorded112,544 miles
Recorded on31 Jul 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS781 DFA
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourRed
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 11 fail
Fail 31 Jul 2026 112,544 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 after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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))

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

Pass 30 Jul 2025 110,996 miles

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

Front Lower Oil leak, but not excessive (rear gearbox area) (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (2255016) (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (2255016) (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Fail 30 Jul 2025 110,992 miles

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

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

Front Lower Oil leak, but not excessive (rear gearbox area) (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (2255016) (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (2255016) (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Fail 23 Jul 2025 110,940 miles

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

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

Pass 25 Jul 2024 110,069 miles

Central Rear Exhaust mounting defective Rubber Split (6.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 12 Jul 2023 108,611 miles

Front Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced both sides at front (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 29 Jul 2022 107,718 miles
Pass 2 Aug 2021 106,585 miles

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

Pass 21 Feb 2020 106,277 miles

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

Fail 20 Feb 2020 106,259 miles

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))

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

Pass 20 Feb 2019 104,402 miles

Jacking points are starting to corrode

Fail 19 Feb 2019 104,402 miles

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

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

Jacking points are starting to corrode

Pass 27 Feb 2018 102,613 miles

Front Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush both rear bushes (2.4.G.2)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fail 1 Feb 2018 102,611 miles

Body has a projection caused by corrosion nearside and offside front lower sills corroded resulting in holes (6.1.C.1)

Brake pipe excessively corroded both front (3.6.B.2c)

Brake pipe excessively corroded both rear (3.6.B.2c)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases exhaust not sealed correctly and vibrating against body (7.1.2)

Nearside Body has a projection caused by corrosion middle sills lower corroded resulting in holes (6.1.C.1)

Offside Body has a projection caused by corrosion outer sill rear and middle corroded resulting in holes (6.1.C.1)

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

both front lower arm rear bushes slight play

front and rear of vehicle surface rust in areas

Pass 1 Feb 2017 100,504 miles

Tyre worn close to the legal limit Both fronts (4.1.E.1)

Fail 1 Feb 2017 100,504 miles

Central Exhaust system not adequately supported mount broken (7.1.1)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 0.756% (7.3.D.3)

Tyre worn close to the legal limit Both fronts (4.1.E.1)

Pass 10 Feb 2016 98,655 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded rear (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 27 Jan 2015 96,717 miles

both front inner rack ends slight play

Fail 21 Jan 2015 96,717 miles

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

both front inner rack ends slight play

slight exhaust leak

Pass 15 Jan 2014 93,326 miles

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

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

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

Pass 15 Jan 2013 90,578 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Jan 2012 89,425 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 25 Jan 2011 87,289 miles

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

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

Fail 20 Jan 2011 87,289 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 Jan 2010 77,789 miles

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

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

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 13 Sep 2008 63,686 miles
Fail 12 Sep 2008 63,686 miles

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 12 Feb 2008 61,316 miles

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 6 Nov 2006 54,954 miles
Fail 6 Nov 2006 54,945 miles

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

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

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.

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S781 DFA is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Red with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

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 S781 DFA, 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 S781 DFA?

You can check the full history of S781 DFA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S781 DFA registered?

S781 DFA is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 16 October 1998.

Is S781 DFA safe to buy?

The MOT history for S781 DFA shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S781 DFA 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 S781 DFA. 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.