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S881 MLW

1998 BMW Z3

Black Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Apr 2027
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

81,412 mi
Last recorded81,412 miles
Recorded on13 Apr 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationS881 MLW
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

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 13 Apr 2026 81,412 miles

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Apr 2024 80,866 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear x 2 , corroding (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Wearing around both edges (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Wearing around both edges (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 15 Apr 2024 80,856 miles

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

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear x 2 , corroding (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Wearing around both edges (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Wearing around both edges (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 22 Apr 2023 79,482 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear flexi x 2 , corroding (1.1.11 (c))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Joint in center (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 23 Mar 2022 78,626 miles

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

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

Pass 11 Mar 2021 77,854 miles

Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 11 Mar 2021 77,854 miles

Front Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 29 Apr 2019 77,012 miles
Pass 7 Apr 2018 75,693 miles
Fail 7 Apr 2018 75,693 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 29 Sep 2016 75,541 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2015 75,205 miles
Pass 7 Aug 2014 74,010 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 16 May 2013 73,789 miles

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

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

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

Fail 14 May 2013 73,786 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 31 Mar 2012 73,503 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

rear exhaust silencer deteriorated

Fail 29 Mar 2012 73,503 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

rear exhaust silencer deteriorated

Pass 1 Oct 2010 68,018 miles

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

Fail 30 Sep 2010 68,004 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Pass 30 Jun 2009 64,469 miles

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

Track rod end slightly corroded but serviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Pass 25 Jun 2008 56,372 miles
Fail 20 Jun 2008 56,369 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

play in o/s/f suspension/steering

Pass 4 Jul 2007 51,938 miles

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 22 Jun 2006 46,423 miles
Fail 21 Jun 2006 46,414 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)

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

Pass 17 Jun 2005 41,471 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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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

S881 MLW is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Black with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

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 S881 MLW, 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 S881 MLW?

You can check the full history of S881 MLW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S881 MLW registered?

S881 MLW is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 30 September 1998.

Is S881 MLW safe to buy?

The MOT history for S881 MLW shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S881 MLW 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 S881 MLW. 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.