1998 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · R825 WLK
1998 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 01 Apr 1998. Recorded mileage 163,741 miles. MOT expired on 23 Apr 2016. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 23 Apr 2016
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 163,741 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.5L
- 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.
R825 WLK Key Findings
- 14 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 18/04/2015
- 163,741 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 4 historical MOT failures
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R825 WLK MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
14 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 BMW 3 Series (R825 WLK) between June 2006 and April 2015.
The record contains 10 passes and 4 failures.
The most recent test on 18 April 2015 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 4 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (9 issues), Tyres (8 issues), Lighting (8 issues), Suspension (5 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 12 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)”; “Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)”; “Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)”.
R825 WLK Mileage History
- 05/06/200691,923 mi
- 05/06/2007100,645 mi+8,722 mi
- 05/06/2008107,714 mi+7,069 mi
- 04/06/2009116,156 mi+8,442 mi
- 27/04/2010128,071 mi+11,915 mi
- 07/03/2011134,436 mi+6,365 mi
- 07/03/2011134,436 mi
- 14/03/2012143,545 mi+9,109 mi
- 06/04/2013152,198 mi+8,653 mi
- 24/04/2013152,207 mi+9 mi
- 17/04/2014158,298 mi+6,091 mi
- 24/04/2014158,404 mi+106 mi
- 14/04/2015163,680 mi+5,276 mi
- 18/04/2015163,741 mi+61 mi
Average of roughly 8,099 miles per year across 14 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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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.
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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 1998 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.
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