1998 BMW 3 Series 2.8L Petrol · S163 AJW
1998 BMW 3 Series (2.8L, petrol). First registered 30 Sept 1998. Recorded mileage 130,142 miles. MOT valid until 18 Nov 2026.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 18 Nov 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 130,142 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.8L
- 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.
S163 AJW Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 04/11/2025
- 130,142 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
S163 AJW 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 1998 BMW 3 Series (S163 AJW) between October 2023 and November 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 04 November 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
S163 AJW Mileage History
- 25/10/2023128,079 mi
- 26/10/2023128,088 mi+9 mi
- 13/11/2024129,169 mi+1,081 mi
- 14/11/2024129,170 mi+1 mi
- 04/11/2025130,142 mi+972 mi
Average of roughly 1,016 miles per year across 5 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: 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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