1998 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · R402 BKE
1998 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 01/05/1998. Recorded mileage 142,048 miles. MOT valid until 09/07/2027. Taxed until 01/01/2027.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 09/07/2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01/01/2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 142,048 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- PETROL
- Year
- 1998
- Engine
- 2494cc
R402 BKE Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 11/07/2026
- 142,048 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (5 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
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.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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R402 BKE Mileage History
- 24/08/2023140,911 mi
- 24/08/2023140,942 mi+31 mi
- 24/01/2025141,595 mi+653 mi
- 11/07/2026142,048 mi+453 mi
Average of roughly 395 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.
R402 BKE MOT History
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 1998 BMW 3 Series (R402 BKE) between August 2023 and July 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 11 July 2026 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: Lighting (5 issues), Brakes (2 issues), Suspension (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 4 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 Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp wrong stop/tail bulb fitted (4.2.3 (c))”; “Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))”; “Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A rare green survivor that presents a re
Given the vehicle's age, the primary focus should be on chassis corrosion and the state of the rubber components. Check the service history specifically for evidence of cooling system refreshes and oil leaks, which are common for this engine size and era.
Negotiate based on the age of the tyres and any evidence of the 2023 suspension advisories still persisting. Ensure you verify the operational status of all rear lighting, as the 2023 failure showed a significant number of bulbs and tell-tales were non-functional.
The 2494cc petrol engine will have higher fuel consumption compared to modern 3 Series models. Tax will be based on the older engine-size brackets, and insurance groups for these classic BMWs are typically moderate, though this varies by driver profile.
Maintenance costs for a 28-year-old vehicle can be unpredictable. While parts are generally available, the age of the vehicle means components may fail due to fatigue rather than mileage. Estimated annual running costs, including fuel, tax, insurance, and basic maintenance, are likely to be between £1,200 and £1,600.
Pay close attention to the nearside rear suspension, as a worn pin or bush was flagged in 2023. Inspect the braking system for any signs of inconsistency or fluctuation, which was also noted in the August 2023 MOT records.
Perform a full lighting check, specifically the offside stop lamps, rear fog lamp, and the dashboard tell-tale, all of which were failure points in 2023. Finally, check the exhaust system for leaks or corrosion, as this is a top failure reason for this model aggregate data.
This 1998 BMW 3 Series has recorded 142,048 miles, which is below the model's average annual mileage. The MOT history shows a period of low usage between 2023 and 2026, with the vehicle covering only 1,106 miles in that timeframe. Following a failure in August 2023 involving multiple lighting and suspension issues, the vehicle has passed its last two tests with no defects recorded.
This model has an average MOT pass rate of 80.0%, with common failures typically occurring in the service brakes, headlamps, and exhaust systems.
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
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