CarVerify

Free Car Check

S946 EAR

1998 BMW Z3

Silver Petrol 2793cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires7 Aug 2026
Tests18 (13 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate72.2%

Mileage

196,577 mi
Last recorded196,577 miles
Recorded on26 Jul 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

RegistrationS946 EAR
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,793cc

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

13 pass 5 fail
Pass 26 Jul 2025 196,577 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 8 Aug 2024 195,867 miles
Fail 20 May 2020 195,861 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 14 Nov 2015 192,362 miles

Engine oil leaks

General surface corrosion to exhaust system in places.

Surface corrosion to under side of vehicle in places

Pass 13 Nov 2014 181,204 miles
Fail 11 Nov 2014 181,103 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Pass 16 Nov 2013 166,897 miles

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

Fail 9 Nov 2013 166,618 miles

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

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

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Pass 12 Nov 2012 149,322 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 3 Nov 2012 149,272 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)

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

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

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

Fail 14 Nov 2011 132,537 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 14 Nov 2011 132,537 miles

Offside Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 13 Nov 2010 117,239 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside 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 13 Nov 2009 100,391 miles

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

Pass 15 Nov 2008 82,570 miles

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

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

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

Pass 17 Nov 2007 65,687 miles
Pass 16 Nov 2006 53,374 miles
Pass 28 Oct 2005 48,342 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

S946 EAR is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Silver with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.2%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 S946 EAR, 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 S946 EAR?

You can check the full history of S946 EAR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S946 EAR registered?

S946 EAR is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is S946 EAR safe to buy?

The MOT history for S946 EAR shows 18 tests with a 72.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S946 EAR 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 S946 EAR. 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.