DVLA verified

1998 BMW M33.2L Petrol

S474 EOJ

Vehicle Insight Summary

1998 BMW M3 — Petrol, 3201cc. This vehicle has 49,235 miles on record. MOT status: no valid MOT. Tax: not taxed. Review the complete history and specs.

MOT

Expired

Expires 17/05/2024

Tax

SORN

Statutory Off Road Notification

Mileage: 49,235
Fuel: Petrol
Year: 1998
Engine: 3201cc

Free vehicle health score

/ 100 · Poor

Public record health check: Poor.

Based on free DVLA & DVSA signals. Premium checks for stolen/finance/write-off history are locked below.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed

! Tax Status Unknown

! Average MOT pass rate (50%)

✗ 1 dangerous defects found recently

A score of 35 doesn't mean it's safe to buy. Private markers don't appear in public data.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for S474EOJ

Data provided by Experian

Stolen

Locked

Finance

Locked

Write-off

Locked

Salvage

Locked

Imported

Locked

Exported

Locked

Scrapped

Locked

Destruction

Locked

V5C Logbook

Locked

Premium Data Locked

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Data provided by Experian

Technical Specifications

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Full MOT History

Live data last synced with DVSA: 30 Jul 2026, 02:04

AI Analysis · MOT Narrative

Registered in 1998, this BMW M3 with plate S474 EOJ has undergone 2 MOT inspections since June 2022.

With 1 passes and 1 failures, the lifetime MOT pass rate stands at 50%. A lower-than-average pass rate suggests the vehicle may have had periods of deferred maintenance.

The most commonly flagged areas across all MOT tests are: Suspension (2 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Brakes (2 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (1 issue). These areas are worth paying attention to when inspecting this vehicle.

There are 3 advisory notices in the MOT history. Advisories are not failures but indicate areas that may need attention in the future.

A total of 6 failure items have been recorded across all tests. Recent failure items include: “Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))”; “Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))”; “Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))”.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

PASS

FAIL

ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide

AI-powered analysis based on real MOT data and market insights.

Buying Score

82/100

Risk Level

Medium

Est. Annual Cost

£2,500-£3,500

Mileage

The mileage of 49,235 miles is significa...

Our Verdict

An exceptional low-mileage modern classic that represents a significant investment opportunity for an enthusiast. While the mileage is impressive, the MOT history suggests some periods of neglect and specific mechanical issues that require immediate attention before purchase.

Given the low mileage, your primary focus should be age-related degradation rather than wear and tear. Check for perished rubber components and bushings, as the MOT history has already noted perishing tyres and fractured coil springs in the past. Ensure there is a comprehensive service history; for the S54 engine, regular oil changes and timing chain health checks are critical, and failure to be catastrophic for the engine's longevity.

Investigate the emissions system, following the 2022 failure for lambda sensor reading issues, which could indicate faulty sensors or fueling issues from sitting for long periods. Also, inspect the braking system thoroughly, as multiple MOT advisories have flagged pitted and scored discs, suggesting the car may sit without being used for long stretches. Negotiate based on the immediate need for brake work and potential suspension refreshes.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — AI-assisted analysis verified by automotive experts.