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S897 ERC

1998 BMW Z3

Silver Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Jun 2027
Tests31 (18 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate58.1%

Mileage

108,490 mi
Last recorded108,490 miles
Recorded on21 May 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

RegistrationS897 ERC
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourSilver
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 13 fail
Pass 21 May 2026 108,490 miles
Fail 20 May 2026 108,488 miles

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

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

Pass 2 Jun 2025 106,529 miles

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

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

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 24 May 2025 106,528 miles

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

Electronic stability control switch not functioning correctly (7.12 (d))

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

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

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 9 Apr 2024 101,467 miles

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

Fail 22 Mar 2024 101,464 miles

Nearside Front Outer Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill holed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn lower arm rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Outer Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill holed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced fuel tank strap rusty (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 5 May 2022 101,367 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Rear exhaust rear silencer box corroded

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced general underbody rust (6.1.1 (c) (i))

petrol tank strap corroded

Fail 4 May 2022 101,367 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Rear exhaust rear silencer box corroded

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced general underbody rust (6.1.1 (c) (i))

petrol tank strap corroded

Pass 9 Mar 2021 99,582 miles

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning high level brake light 2 of the 5 bulbs not working (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Central Rear fuel tank strap corroded but not seriously weakened

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floor and jacking point corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases exhaust system corroded , back box has a slight blow (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play slight (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floor/ jacking point corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill covers corroded and blistered but are not structural (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 6 Mar 2021 99,582 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (5.2.3 (i))

Offside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (5.2.3 (i))

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning high level brake light 2 of the 5 bulbs not working (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Central Rear fuel tank strap corroded but not seriously weakened

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floor and jacking point corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases exhaust system corroded , back box has a slight blow (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play slight (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floor/ jacking point corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill covers corroded and blistered but are not structural (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 9 Mar 2020 99,374 miles

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

Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security inner sil. (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security inner sil. (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 12 Jul 2018 99,239 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Jul 2017 99,234 miles

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules both (3.6.B.4e)

foel tank strap rusty

Fail 30 Jun 2017 99,234 miles

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

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules both (3.6.B.4e)

foel tank strap rusty

Pass 14 Jul 2016 99,186 miles

Centre Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.2.1b)

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

Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced both (1.7.5a)

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

Fail 13 Jul 2016 99,186 miles

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

Front front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded both (3.6.B.4e)

Rear front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Centre Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.2.1b)

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

Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced both (1.7.5a)

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

Pass 12 May 2015 99,117 miles

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

brake pipes heavily greased

Pass 12 Jun 2014 98,766 miles
Fail 11 Jun 2014 98,764 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Nov 2012 96,588 miles

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

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

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

nearside wiper blade split

Fail 22 Nov 2012 96,586 miles

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

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

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

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

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

nearside wiper blade split

traction control light on

Pass 25 Nov 2011 92,739 miles

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

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

Fail 24 Nov 2011 92,739 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Oct 2010 81,278 miles
Fail 29 Sep 2010 81,142 miles

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

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

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

Pass 5 Oct 2009 67,735 miles
Pass 2 Oct 2008 66,058 miles

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

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

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

Fail 30 Sep 2008 66,055 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Oct 2007 64,441 miles
Pass 2 Oct 2006 62,365 miles
Fail 26 Sep 2006 62,304 miles

Front Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

both front tyres worn on inner edges

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

S897 ERC is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Silver with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.1%.

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 S897 ERC, 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 S897 ERC?

You can check the full history of S897 ERC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S897 ERC registered?

S897 ERC is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is S897 ERC safe to buy?

The MOT history for S897 ERC shows 31 tests with a 58.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S897 ERC 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 S897 ERC. 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.