IsItAGoodCar
Official DVLA Record

1997 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · R787 FOU

R787 FOU

1997 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 01 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 181,359 miles. MOT expired on 01 Jan 2016. Currently declared SORN.

Make & Model
BMW 3 SERIES
Year / Origin
1997 · Reading
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Expired on 01 Jan 2016
Road Tax
SORN
Recorded Mileage
181,359 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
Fuel & Engine
PETROL · 2.5L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Expired
Expired on 01 Jan 2016
Tax Status
SORN
Statutory Off Road (SORN)
Fuel Type
PETROL
Year
1997
Engine
2494cc

R787 FOU Key Findings

  • 15 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 02/01/2015
  • 181,359 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 6 historical MOT failures
  • 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring brakes items (34 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
40
/ 100 · Below Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

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.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed
! Tax Status Unknown
! No MOT history found
! Older vehicle
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R787 FOU Mileage History

  1. 04/07/200698,912 mi
  2. 04/07/200698,912 mi
  3. 07/07/2007109,095 mi+10,183 mi
  4. 08/07/2008124,213 mi+15,118 mi
  5. 13/06/2009139,552 mi+15,339 mi
  6. 27/06/2009140,202 mi+650 mi
  7. 28/06/2010159,114 mi+18,912 mi
  8. 12/07/2010159,786 mi+672 mi
  9. 15/08/2011169,892 mi+10,106 mi
  10. 15/08/2011169,892 mi
  11. 17/08/2012160,067 mi-9,825 mi
  12. 16/08/2013177,466 mi+17,399 mi
  13. 21/08/20130 mi-177,466 mi
  14. 02/01/2015181,359 mi+181,359 mi

Average of roughly 9,701 miles per year across 14 recorded odometer readings.

Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.

R787 FOU MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 10 Oct 2026, 20:05
MOT Analysis

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 (R787 FOU) between July 2006 and January 2015.

The record contains 9 passes and 6 failures.

The most recent test on 02 January 2015 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 6 failures that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (34 issues), Tyres (17 issues), Suspension (12 issues), Lighting (11 issues), Windscreen (8 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 60 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 Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings”; “Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mounting”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY