1997 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · R181 CAX
1997 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 01 Nov 1997. Recorded mileage 179,289 miles. MOT expired on 19 Aug 2014.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 19 Aug 2014
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (20 Aug 2014)
- Recorded Mileage
- 179,289 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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R181 CAX Key Findings
- 15 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 18/08/2014
- 179,289 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 7 historical MOT failures
- 10 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (35 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R181 CAX MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
15 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 BMW 3 Series (R181 CAX) between August 2006 and August 2014.
The record contains 8 passes and 7 failures.
The most recent test on 18 August 2014 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (35 issues), Suspension (14 issues), Lighting (9 issues), Tyres (8 issues), Windscreen (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 52 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: “Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)”; “Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)”; “Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)”.
R181 CAX Mileage History
- 04/08/2006102,675 mi
- 10/08/2006102,776 mi+101 mi
- 12/07/2007112,970 mi+10,194 mi
- 13/07/2007113,024 mi+54 mi
- 08/08/2008122,033 mi+9,009 mi
- 10/08/2009133,327 mi+11,294 mi
- 12/08/2009133,353 mi+26 mi
- 19/08/2010141,612 mi+8,259 mi
- 20/08/2010141,614 mi+2 mi
- 11/08/2011151,105 mi+9,491 mi
- 20/08/2012161,319 mi+10,214 mi
- 20/08/2012161,319 mi
- 13/08/2013165,995 mi+4,676 mi
- 14/08/2013165,995 mi
- 18/08/2014179,289 mi+13,294 mi
Average of roughly 9,531 miles per year across 15 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
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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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