1998 BMW 3 Series 2.8L Petrol · A16 FCB
1998 BMW 3 Series (2.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Aug 1998. Recorded mileage 122,350 miles. MOT expired on 15 Dec 2025.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Peterborough
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 15 Dec 2025
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 122,350 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.
A16 FCB Key Findings
- 2 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 16/12/2024
- 122,350 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
A16 FCB MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
2 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 BMW 3 Series (A16 FCB) between December 2024 and December 2024.
The record contains 1 pass and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 16 December 2024 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
A16 FCB Mileage History
- 10/12/2024122,346 mi
- 16/12/2024122,350 mi+4 mi
Average of roughly 239 miles per year across 2 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.
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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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