1990 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · H277 FRD
1990 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 01 Sept 1990. Recorded mileage 138,707 miles. MOT expired on 10 Oct 2011. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1990 · Bournemouth
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 10 Oct 2011
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 138,707 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
H277 FRD Key Findings
- 7 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 05/10/2010
- 138,707 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (12 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
H277 FRD MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
7 MOT tests are recorded for this 1990 BMW 3 Series (H277 FRD) between June 2006 and October 2010.
The record contains 5 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 05 October 2010 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (12 issues), Suspension (4 issues), Tyres (3 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 10 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)”; “Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)”; “Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)”.
H277 FRD Mileage History
- 01/06/2006125,186 mi
- 10/10/2007130,760 mi+5,574 mi
- 11/10/2007130,760 mi
- 04/10/2008132,626 mi+1,866 mi
- 09/10/2008132,672 mi+46 mi
- 30/09/2009135,513 mi+2,841 mi
- 05/10/2010138,707 mi+3,194 mi
Average of roughly 3,112 miles per year across 7 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for BMW 3 Series (E36)
Our database tracks 5 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
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.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1990 model year cars.
- Cooling System OverhaulSerious
Plastic water pump impellers shatter, expansion tanks split along mould seams, and composite thermostat housings warp with age. A complete cooling overhaul is essential every 60k–80k miles.
- Rear Shock Mount TearingSerious
The sheet metal towers supporting the rear shock mounts can fatigue and tear out under rough road impacts, leaving the damper loose inside the boot.
- Rust (Arches/Jacking Points)Serious
Corrosion is endemic on UK E36s exposed to road salt. The rear wheel arch lips, outer and inner sill structures, and floor jacking points rust severely from the inside out.
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