1998 BMW 3 Series 2.8L Petrol · S358 JGX
1998 BMW 3 Series (2.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Oct 1998. Recorded mileage 51,927 miles. MOT expired on 20 May 2017. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 20 May 2017
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 51,927 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
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.
S358 JGX Key Findings
- 13 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 21/05/2016
- 51,927 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 4 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
S358 JGX MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
13 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 BMW 3 Series (S358 JGX) between December 2005 and May 2016.
The record contains 9 passes and 4 failures.
The most recent test on 21 May 2016 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: Tyres (9 issues), Suspension (5 issues), Windscreen (2 issues), Brakes (1 issue), Lighting (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 14 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 Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)”; “Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)”; “Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)”.
S358 JGX Mileage History
- 13/12/200574,075 mi
- 02/01/200787,350 mi+13,275 mi
- 02/01/200787,350 mi
- 02/01/2009111,115 mi+23,765 mi
- 05/01/2009111,125 mi+10 mi
- 26/01/2010120,221 mi+9,096 mi
- 28/01/2010120,248 mi+27 mi
- 27/03/2012128,228 mi+7,980 mi
- 04/03/2013136,299 mi+8,071 mi
- 04/03/2013136,299 mi
- 17/05/2014140,133 mi+3,834 mi
- 16/05/2015147,560 mi+7,427 mi
- 21/05/201651,927 mi-95,633 mi
Average of roughly -2,122 miles per year across 13 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
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: Poor
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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