CarVerify

Free Car Check

VCZ 3944

1998 BMW Z3

Black Petrol 2793cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires29 Jan 2021
Tests25 (14 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate56%

Mileage

154,094 mi
Last recorded154,094 miles
Recorded on26 Apr 2021
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

RegistrationVCZ 3944
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourBlack
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

14 pass 11 fail
Fail 26 Apr 2021 154,094 miles

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

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Nearside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible led bulb fitted (4.1.4 (c))

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Offside Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible led/hid bulb fitted (4.1.4 (c))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

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

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

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 4mm (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 30 Jul 2019 153,624 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Fail 24 Jul 2019 153,624 miles

Bonnet primary retaining device ineffective (3.1 (c))

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Pass 26 Jul 2018 153,025 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly damaged perishing (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 10 Jul 2018 153,022 miles

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

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

Nearside Front Engine mounting bracket damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (6.1.8 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Engine mounting damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (6.1.8 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly damaged perishing (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 24 Jul 2017 150,491 miles

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

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

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

Pass 5 Jul 2016 147,923 miles
Fail 4 Jul 2016 147,923 miles

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

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

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Pass 13 May 2015 145,549 miles
Pass 19 Mar 2014 144,249 miles
Fail 13 Mar 2014 144,245 miles

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Pass 19 Mar 2013 143,075 miles
Fail 19 Mar 2013 143,075 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Nearside Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 9 Feb 2012 142,562 miles

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Fail 7 Feb 2012 142,577 miles

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Pass 3 Feb 2011 141,764 miles
Fail 2 Feb 2011 141,764 miles

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

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Pass 8 Feb 2010 138,067 miles

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

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

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

Fail 4 Feb 2010 138,004 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 23 Jan 2009 133,549 miles

Offside Front Steering column shaft has slight end float (2.1.3)

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

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

Pass 30 Jan 2008 123,016 miles

Offside Front Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

near side front tyre feathering on outer edge

Fail 24 Jan 2008 123,016 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (8.4.1)

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

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

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

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Front Bonded suspension unit deteriorated but can function as intended (2.4.F.3)

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

near side front tyre feathering on outer edge

Pass 6 Feb 2007 111,865 miles
Fail 2 Feb 2007 111,865 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Pass 3 Feb 2006 101,872 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

VCZ 3944 is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Black with a 2,793cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56%.

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 VCZ 3944, 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 VCZ 3944?

You can check the full history of VCZ 3944 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was VCZ 3944 registered?

VCZ 3944 is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 16 September 1998.

Is VCZ 3944 safe to buy?

The MOT history for VCZ 3944 shows 25 tests with a 56% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VCZ 3944 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 VCZ 3944. 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.