1996 BMW 3 Series 1.6L Petrol · N980 BRX
1996 BMW 3 Series (1.6L, petrol). First registered 01 Jun 2001. Recorded mileage 159,870 miles. MOT expired on 24 May 2007.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Newcastle
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 24 May 2007
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01 Jun 2006)
- Recorded Mileage
- 159,870 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.6L
- 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.
N980 BRX Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 26/04/2006
- 159,870 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.
N980 BRX MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 1996 BMW 3 Series (N980 BRX) between May 2005 and April 2006.
The record contains 2 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 26 April 2006 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 1 advisory notice is 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: “Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)”.
N980 BRX Mileage History
- 25/05/2005135,717 mi
- 25/05/2005135,717 mi
- 26/04/2006159,870 mi+24,153 mi
Average of roughly 26,235 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
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.
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (N980 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as N980BRX.
VAUXHALL
MONTEREY
VOLKSWAGEN
TRANSPORTER
MERCEDES-BENZ
E
VAUXHALL
ASTRA
DAIHATSU
FOURTRAK
TOYOTA
RAV4
YAMAHA
LADA
HUSSAR
SAAB
9000 CS TURBO AUTO
CITROEN
AX
VOLKSWAGEN
TRANSPORTER
VOLKSWAGEN
BMW 3 SERIES Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1996 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.
- VANOS Rattle & Seal FailureModerate
The variable valve timing unit (single VANOS on M50TU/M52, dual on M52TU) suffers from Buna-N O-ring hardening and bearing axial play, leading to loss of low-end torque and a noisy marble-in-a-tin-can rattle.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.