DVLA verified
MOT valid

BMW 3 SERIES2011 · 2.0L PETROL

YH11 GZS

Vehicle Insight Summary

Free vehicle summary for YH11 GZS: 2011 BMW 3 SERIES (BLACK, PETROL). Mileage: 128,911. MOT: valid. Tax: untaxed.

MOT
Valid
Expires 27/02/2027
Tax
Untaxed
Expires 14/08/2024
Fuel
PETROL
Year
2011
Engine
1995cc
Expert AI · Mechanic's Insight
The vehicle is currently roadworthy following a pass in February 2026 at 128,911 miles. However, the maintenance trend reveals a volatile history of mechanical failures that require close attention. While the most recent test showed no defects, the failure recorded just five days prior indicated critical issues with the engine management system, an ABS malfunction lamp, and excessive carbon monoxide emissions. This suggests that while the car is capable of passing inspections, the underlying electronic and emission systems are prone to intermittent faults. At 128,911 miles over fifteen years, the car has averaged approximately 8,600 miles per year, which aligns with typical usage patterns for an older BMW. There is a significant three-year gap between the June 2022 test at 111,130 miles and the June 2023 test at 124,773 miles, during which only 13,643 miles were covered. The subsequent interval of 4,138 miles between 2023 and 2026 shows a more recent decrease in usage, though the overall high mileage indicates consistent wear on drivetrain components and rubber components. A buyer must prioritise a physical inspection of the braking and engine management systems. The 2023 failure due to a seriously leaking offside front shock absorber and poor parking brake efficiency suggests that the suspension and braking hardware suffer from deferred maintenance. The recurring Engine Management Indicator light faults in both 2023 and 2026 point to a persistent sensor or converter issue that may not be fully resolved. Check for signs of renewed fluid leaks and test the ABS module to ensure the recent February pass was not merely cleared rather than permanently repaired.

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

Free vehicle health score

65
/ 100 · Average

Public record health check: Average.

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

✓ Valid MOT
✓ Taxed
! Average MOT pass rate (60%)
! Older vehicle
A score of 65 doesn't mean it's safe to buy. Private markers don't appear in public data.
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Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for YH11GZS

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Stolen
Locked
Finance
Locked
Write-off
Locked
Salvage
Locked
Imported
Locked
Exported
Locked
Scrapped
Locked
Destruction
Locked
V5C Logbook
Locked

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Full MOT History

Expert AI · Mechanic's Insight
The vehicle is currently roadworthy following a pass in February 2026 at 128,911 miles. However, the maintenance trend reveals a volatile history of mechanical failures that require close attention. While the most recent test showed no defects, the failure recorded just five days prior indicated critical issues with the engine management system, an ABS malfunction lamp, and excessive carbon monoxide emissions. This suggests that while the car is capable of passing inspections, the underlying electronic and emission systems are prone to intermittent faults. At 128,911 miles over fifteen years, the car has averaged approximately 8,600 miles per year, which aligns with typical usage patterns for an older BMW. There is a significant three-year gap between the June 2022 test at 111,130 miles and the June 2023 test at 124,773 miles, during which only 13,643 miles were covered. The subsequent interval of 4,138 miles between 2023 and 2026 shows a more recent decrease in usage, though the overall high mileage indicates consistent wear on drivetrain components and rubber components. A buyer must prioritise a physical inspection of the braking and engine management systems. The 2023 failure due to a seriously leaking offside front shock absorber and poor parking brake efficiency suggests that the suspension and braking hardware suffer from deferred maintenance. The recurring Engine Management Indicator light faults in both 2023 and 2026 point to a persistent sensor or converter issue that may not be fully resolved. Check for signs of renewed fluid leaks and test the ABS module to ensure the recent February pass was not merely cleared rather than permanently repaired.

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

AI Analysis · MOT Narrative

Registered in 2011, this BMW 3 Series with plate YH11 GZS has undergone 5 MOT inspections since June 2022.

The vehicle has achieved an overall 60% pass rate, with 3 passes and 2 failures recorded. While not perfect, the history shows a relatively typical pattern of MOT passes and fails.

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

There is 1 advisory notice in the MOT history. Advisories are not failures but indicate areas that may need attention in the future.

A total of 7 failure items have been recorded across all tests. Recent failure items include: “Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))”; “Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))”; “Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))”.

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
52/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£1,200-£1,600
Mileage
At 128,911 miles for an April 2011 regis...

Our Verdict

Approach this 2011 BMW 3 Series with caution and budget for recent fault rectification. The clean 2026 pass is encouraging, but two recent MOT failures show recurring warning-lamp and emissions issues that need verification.

Before buying, insist on evidence that the February 2026 ABS fault, engine MIL warning and high CO reading were properly fixed, as the car passed only days after failing on these exact points. Ask for the repair invoices and a fresh diagnostic scan to confirm no stored fault codes remain on this 1995cc petrol engine. Check the 2023 advisories were addressed too: the offside front shock fluid leak and ineffective wiper should have been replaced, and the parking brake efficiency below requirement suggests cable or rear caliper wear common on older 3 Series estates and saloons.

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

Data Sources

DVSA

MOT test records from the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency.

DVLA

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