Official DVLA Record

2001 BMW 3 SERIES3.0L Petrol

GY51 AOG

Considering this 2001 BMW 3 SERIES? It's a Petrol with a 2979cc engine showing 166,645 miles. MOT is not recorded and it's not currently taxed. View the full DVLA history below.

MOT Status
Expired
Valid until 16/05/2026
Tax Status
SORN
Statutory Off Road (SORN)
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2001
Engine
2979cc
Mechanical Assessment
The vehicle is currently roadworthy, with no defects recorded in its most recent May 2025 MOT at 166,645 miles. The maintenance trend shows stability over the past four years, as the 2024 and 2021 tests also recorded passes with no defects. However, a conflicting entry for 2024-05-17 lists both a pass and a fail for the same mileage, which may indicate a data anomaly. Despite this, the absence of recorded faults in subsequent tests suggests no immediate mechanical risks. The mileage progression aligns with typical usage for a 25-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,666 miles annually. No significant gaps or rapid accumulation are evident between tests, indicating consistent operation. The 2020–2021 tests show a 500-mile increase over 12 months, followed by a 1,061-mile rise by 2024, reflecting gradual wear. The data lacks detailed defect reports, which could imply either meticulous maintenance or limited diagnostic depth in the recorded tests. A buyer should verify the vehicle’s suspension components, particularly bushes and coil springs, as older BMWs often develop play in these areas. Brake discs and calipers warrant inspection for corrosion or uneven wear, as these can degrade without immediate warning. Structural integrity should also be assessed, as rust or panel damage may not appear in MOT records. The clean defect history is reassuring but does not eliminate the need for a physical check of high-mileage wear items.
MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
45
/ 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
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Full MOT History

Live data last synced with DVSA: 30 Jul 2026, 06:54
Mechanic's Historical Review
The vehicle is currently roadworthy, with no defects recorded in its most recent May 2025 MOT at 166,645 miles. The maintenance trend shows stability over the past four years, as the 2024 and 2021 tests also recorded passes with no defects. However, a conflicting entry for 2024-05-17 lists both a pass and a fail for the same mileage, which may indicate a data anomaly. Despite this, the absence of recorded faults in subsequent tests suggests no immediate mechanical risks. The mileage progression aligns with typical usage for a 25-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,666 miles annually. No significant gaps or rapid accumulation are evident between tests, indicating consistent operation. The 2020–2021 tests show a 500-mile increase over 12 months, followed by a 1,061-mile rise by 2024, reflecting gradual wear. The data lacks detailed defect reports, which could imply either meticulous maintenance or limited diagnostic depth in the recorded tests. A buyer should verify the vehicle’s suspension components, particularly bushes and coil springs, as older BMWs often develop play in these areas. Brake discs and calipers warrant inspection for corrosion or uneven wear, as these can degrade without immediate warning. Structural integrity should also be assessed, as rust or panel damage may not appear in MOT records. The clean defect history is reassuring but does not eliminate the need for a physical check of high-mileage wear items.
MOT Test History Overview

Our records for this BMW 3 Series (GY51 AOG) from 2001 show a total of 4 MOT tests between November 2021 and May 2025.

Historically, this vehicle has passed 75% of its MOT tests, totaling 3 passes against 1 fails. This is an average MOT record. Some attention to recurring issues may be beneficial.

The most commonly flagged areas across all MOT tests are: Windscreen (2 issues), Bodywork (2 issues), Brakes (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue), Lighting (1 issue). These areas are worth paying attention to when inspecting this vehicle.

There are 7 advisory notices in the MOT history. Advisories are not failures but indicate areas that may need attention in the future.

A total of 4 failure items have been recorded across all tests. Recent failure items include: “Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn most rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))”; “Offside Obligatory mirror does not provide a view to the rear (3.3 (c))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
42/100
Risk Level
High
High
Est. Annual Cost
£2,500-£3,500
Mileage
The mileage of 166,645 miles is signific...

Our Verdict

Proceed with extreme caution unless you are an enthusiast prepared for significant mechanical investment. While the 3.0L engine is desirable, the persistent history of corrosion and recurring mechanical failures suggests a vehicle nearing an expensive chapter.

Your primary focus must be the state of the chassis. The MOT history consistently notes 'underbody corrosion' since 2018, with a 'corroded rear sub-frame' noted in 2025. Have a specialist perform a thorough underside inspection to determine if the rust is surface or structural, as sub-frame replacement is incredibly costly.

Mechanically, check for the source of the oil leak mentioned in 2018 and 2025. Given the age and mileage, ensure the cooling system has been maintained, as these engines are sensitive to heat. Ask for a full service history to verify if the suspension bushes and control arms have been replaced recently, as these appear frequently in the MOT failures.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns