Official DVLA Record

1988 BMW 3 Series 2.0L Petrol · E257 RNH

E257 RNH

1988 BMW 3 Series (2.0L, petrol). First registered 30/12/1988. Recorded mileage 81,600 miles. MOT status: Expired.

Make & Model
BMW 3 SERIES
Year / Origin
1988 · Chelmsford
MOT Status
Valid until 21/08/2026
Road Tax
—
Recorded Mileage
81,600 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 2.0L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Expired
Valid until 21/08/2026
Tax Status
Checking...
Checking DVLA database...
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
1988
Engine
1990cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The current roadworthiness status of this BMW 3 Series is stable and encouraging, supported by a clean pass in the most recent test conducted on 22 August 2025. The absence of any recorded defects or advisories across the last three consecutive examinations suggests a high standard of maintenance and diligent ownership. This consistent performance indicates that the vehicle is currently free from systemic mechanical failures or neglected wear items that often plague classic cars of this vintage. The vehicle displays a low-mileage profile, averaging approximately 2,147 miles per annum over its 38-year lifespan. The MOT history is remarkably sparse, reflecting limited use rather than a history of recurring mechanical intervention. While the 2022 record shows a failure followed by a pass on the subsequent day, the lack of recorded defects suggests this was likely a minor administrative or easily rectified issue rather than a significant mechanical breakdown. The current odometer reading of 81,600 miles is modest for a vehicle of this age, though such infrequent use can sometimes lead to issues related to long-term storage. Prospective buyers should focus their physical inspection on the effects of age rather than high-mileage wear. Prioritise a thorough examination of the structural integrity, specifically checking the sills, wheel arches, and floor pans for signs of corrosion that may have been missed or developed since the last test. Inspect all rubber components, including suspension bushes, coolant hoses, and brake lines, as these materials perish over time regardless of how few miles the car has covered. Verify that the engine runs smoothly from a cold start to ensure that the fuel system and seals have not suffered from prolonged periods of inactivity.

E257 RNH Key Findings

  • 4 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 22/08/2025
  • 81,600 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 historical MOT failure
  • No defects recorded at the latest MOT

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

Updating live data
MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
55
/ 100 · Below Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed
! Tax Status Unknown
✓ Good MOT pass rate (75%)
! Older vehicle
Experian Provenance Check

Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for E257RNH

Data provided by Experian
Stolen
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Finance
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Write-off
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Salvage
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Imported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Exported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Scrapped
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Destruction
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
V5C Logbook
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
£20,000 Experian Data Guarantee Included

Verify Outstanding Finance & Provenance Before Buying

Free DVLA records only confirm roadworthiness. Protect yourself against active finance repossession, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage fraud with an official Experian check.

✓ One-off payment (no subscription)✓ Instant on screen + PDF emailed✓ Official Experian registry✓ Apple Pay / Google Pay / Cards

Data provided by Experian

Technical Specifications

May be subject to ULEZ charges

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

Estimate current market value

Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.

E257 RNH Mileage History

  1. 24/06/202281,449 mi
  2. 25/06/202281,449 mi
  3. 27/06/202381,600 mi+151 mi
  4. 22/08/202581,600 mi

Average of roughly 48 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.

E257 RNH MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 15 Apr 2026, 17:56
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

4 MOT tests are recorded for this 1988 BMW 3 Series (E257 RNH) between June 2022 and August 2025.

The record contains 3 passes and 1 failure.

The most recent test on 22 August 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY