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SMW 796

1998 BMW Z3

Red Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Nov 2026
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

63,155 mi
Last recorded63,155 miles
Recorded on27 Oct 2025
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

RegistrationSMW 796
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

20 pass 7 fail
Pass 27 Oct 2025 63,155 miles
Pass 12 Nov 2024 62,842 miles

Both bolt on sill covers corroded and holed

Vehicle heavily undersealed in places

Pass 13 Nov 2023 62,483 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 9 Nov 2023 62,467 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 16 Nov 2022 61,335 miles

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

Nearside Rear 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 22 Oct 2021 60,641 miles

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened All front and rear suspension corroded (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 13 Oct 2021 60,640 miles

Front Service brake excessively fluctuating brake discs rusty (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Rear Service brake grabbing severely brake discs rusty (1.2.1 (c))

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened All front and rear suspension corroded (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 26 Feb 2019 60,007 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Feb 2018 58,607 miles

Oil leak ()

Fail 22 Feb 2018 58,606 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 21 Feb 2017 56,804 miles

power steering fluid leak

Fail 21 Feb 2017 56,804 miles

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

power steering fluid leak

Pass 26 Feb 2016 54,704 miles

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

Front oil leaks

Front wipers slight judder

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Fail 24 Feb 2016 54,704 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Brake pipe excessively corroded between two flexi hoses (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded between two flexi hoses (3.6.B.2c)

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases back box (7.1.2)

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

Front oil leaks

Front wipers slight judder

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Rear Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

Pass 18 Feb 2015 53,154 miles

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

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

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

n/s/f to rear brake pipe slightly corroded

n/s/r brake pipe slightly corroded

o/s/f to rear brake pipe slightly corroded

o/s/r brake pipe slightly corroded

oil leak

Fail 18 Feb 2015 53,154 miles

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

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

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

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

n/s/f to rear brake pipe slightly corroded

n/s/r brake pipe slightly corroded

o/s/f to rear brake pipe slightly corroded

o/s/r brake pipe slightly corroded

oil leak

Pass 3 Feb 2014 49,763 miles

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Fail 29 Jan 2014 49,763 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Upper Bonded suspension unit deteriorated and cannot function as intended (2.4.F.3)

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

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Oil leak

Pass 25 Feb 2013 46,169 miles

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 7 Jun 2012 44,727 miles

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

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

rear of exhaust system hanging incorrectly

Pass 17 Jun 2011 40,760 miles

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

Pass 15 Jun 2010 38,951 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2009 33,062 miles

o/s/r top shocker mount starting to split

Pass 26 Jun 2008 29,243 miles

Both the front side-lights are slightly dim.

Both the rear tyres have slight cuts in them.

Play on offside steering rack right on the limit - advise investigation

Rear bushes on front control arms have slight play

Slight difference on the rate of increase in the rear brakes.

Pass 2 Jul 2007 25,702 miles

Play is near the limit in the O/S/F wheel.

Rubber bush on both the front anti-roll bar links is starting to split.

Slight wear in both the rear anti-roll bar links.

The N/S/R tyre is near the limit and the O/S/R is getting low aswell.

Pass 4 Jul 2006 21,343 miles
Pass 7 Jun 2005 16,711 miles

Play in O/S/F wheel right on limit. †Nail in O/S/R tyre.

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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SMW 796 is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Red with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

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 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 SMW 796, 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 SMW 796?

You can check the full history of SMW 796 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SMW 796 registered?

SMW 796 is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 4 August 1998.

Is SMW 796 safe to buy?

The MOT history for SMW 796 shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SMW 796 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 SMW 796. 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.