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XML 559T

1978 BMW 3 Series

Silver Petrol 2315cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Aug 2026
Tests15 (8 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate53.3%

Mileage

107,348 mi
Last recorded107,348 miles
Recorded on19 Aug 2025
Typical for 1978 BMW 3 Series73,526 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationXML 559T
MakeBMW
Model3 Series
Year1978
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,315cc

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

8 pass 7 fail
Pass 19 Aug 2025 107,348 miles
Fail 19 Aug 2025 107,342 miles

Driver's seat with a defective structure (6.2.5 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

Pass 6 Apr 2014 105,380 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Rear Lower Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

number plate light relocated

rear exhaust mount replaced with cable ties

rear fog light not working

Fail 1 Apr 2014 105,374 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Rear Lower Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

number plate light relocated

rear exhaust mount replaced with cable ties

rear fog light not working

Pass 20 Mar 2013 103,277 miles

rear fog lamp not working

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

fuel stains on rear exhaust but no leaks at time of test

Fail 20 Mar 2013 103,277 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)

Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

fuel stains on rear exhaust but no leaks at time of test

rear fog lamp not working

rear silencer mounting rubbers cracked

Pass 5 Apr 2012 101,575 miles
Fail 21 Mar 2012 101,574 miles

Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (3.6.C.3)

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

Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

Offside Front Brake pipe twisted (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

High beam tell tale not working

Pass 17 Mar 2011 99,291 miles

Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

cuts to offside rear tyre and worn to 3mm 185/70/hr13

Pass 26 Mar 2010 97,253 miles
Fail 25 Mar 2010 97,253 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Pass 24 Mar 2009 93,031 miles

slight wear in steering rack at offside

Fail 20 Mar 2009 93,030 miles

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user (1.6.2b)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

slight wear in steering rack at offside

Pass 6 Dec 2007 92,725 miles
Fail 1 Dec 2007 92,725 miles

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

Nearside Drag link end ball pin shank loose (2.2.B.1c)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

How Reliable is the BMW 3 Series?

Based on 12,840,406 MOT tests across 1,004,285 vehicles.

75.1%
Pass Rate
6,672
Miles/Year
37
Year Lifespan
1,004,285
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 485,475
Brake pipe excessively corroded 323,327
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 253,205
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 185,099
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 182,360
Full BMW 3 Series reliability report

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XML 559T is a 1978 BMW 3 Series in Silver with a 2,315cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 15 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.3%.

Across all 1978 BMW 3 Series models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.3% with a typical mileage of 73,526 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 3 Series fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 485,475 recorded failures. If you're considering buying XML 559T, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 3 Series typically stays on UK roads for around 37 years. At 48 years old, this BMW 3 Series is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of XML 559T?

You can check the full history of XML 559T by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was XML 559T registered?

XML 559T is a 1978 BMW 3 Series, first registered on 23 November 1978.

Is XML 559T safe to buy?

The MOT history for XML 559T shows 15 tests with a 53.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does XML 559T 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 XML 559T. 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.