1997 BMW 3 Series 1.8L Petrol · R742 BFU
1997 BMW 3 Series (1.8L, petrol). First registered 01/11/1997. Recorded mileage 156,138 miles. MOT valid until 13/11/2026. Taxed until 01/04/2027.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- MOT Status
- Valid until 13/11/2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01/04/2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 156,138 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- PETROL
- Year
- 1997
- Engine
- 1796cc
R742 BFU Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 06/11/2025
- 156,138 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (4 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.
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R742 BFU Mileage History
- 14/11/2023147,954 mi
- 14/10/2024152,054 mi+4,100 mi
- 15/10/2024152,054 mi
- 05/11/2025156,138 mi+4,084 mi
- 06/11/2025156,138 mi
Average of roughly 4,135 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
R742 BFU MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 BMW 3 Series (R742 BFU) between November 2023 and November 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 06 November 2025 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 (4 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Steering (2 issues), Suspension (2 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: “Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii))”.
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