1987 BMW 6 Series 3.4L Petrol · D287 BOY

The vehicle was last presented for MOT on 17 April 2025 and was passed with no advisories or defects recorded. The two subsequent tests prior to that, in May 2023 and May 2018, were similarly clean with no advisories, indicating a generally stable and improving pattern following the advisories and structural corrosion failures raised in 2010 and 2011. It is worth noting that the 2011 test initially failed on excessive corrosion within 30cm of body mountings, which was a significant structural concern at the time; a re-test seven days later passed, but the advisories relating to corroded front and rear coil springs, a damaged offside front seat belt, and slight structural corrosion remained live. Given the fourteen-year gap between the 2018 and 2023 tests, and the subsequent two-year interval to 2025, the absence of any fresh advisories over that long period is reassuring but should not be taken as absolute confirmation that all defects previously identified have been properly rectified rather than simply not re-reported. The recorded mileage of 116,129 miles across approximately 39 years equates to an annual average of just under 3,000 miles, which is exceptionally low for a vehicle of this age and points to extended periods of either light use or prolonged standing. Such low annual mileage suggests that mechanical wear on major drivetrain components is likely modest, but it also raises the probability of degradation through inactivity rather than use, particularly affecting rubber components, brake systems, and battery health. The substantial intervals between recorded MOT tests, with none shown between 2018 and 2023, may indicate the vehicle was either off-road, used very sparingly, or that tests were not entered onto the DVSA system, all of which warrant clarification from the seller regarding storage conditions, regular running, and any remedial work carried out during those gaps. For a prospective buyer, a careful physical inspection is strongly advised given the age of the vehicle and the nature of the historical advisories. The 2010 advisory noting a light misting of oil from the offside rear shock absorber, combined with the corroded coil springs flagged in 2011, means the suspension should be examined thoroughly for any fluid leaks, surface corrosion, or weakened springs; on a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking over uneven surfaces and observe whether the car remains level when cornering or under braking. The advisories relating to slight structural corrosion on the front vehicle structure, plus the user-entered corrosion on the nearside front inner wing and battery tray, dictate a close visual examination of all chassis rails, inner wings, battery trays, jacking points, and areas within 30cm of body and suspension mountings for advanced rust, paying particular attention to the sills, front strut towers, and rear spring seats as these are common corrosion hotspots on E24 BMW chassis of this era. The nearside front tyre wear advisory from 2011 also indicates that suspension geometry or component wear may have been a factor, so uneven tread wear across the four corners on the currently fitted tyres should prompt further investigation of wheel alignment and bush condition. Beyond the items highlighted by the MOT history, the low mileage and evident periods of standing mean age-related deterioration should be a primary concern. Tyres fitted to a vehicle used so sparingly will almost certainly be suffering from sidewall perishing and cracking, even if the tread appears serviceable, so all four tyres should be inspected for hairline cracks in the sidewall rubber and DOT date codes reviewed. The 12V battery should be load-tested as standing use typically shortens battery life, and all fluid systems should be treated as time-serviced rather than mileage-serviced; brake fluid is hygroscopic and should be replaced every two to three years regardless of mileage, coolant should be checked and likely renewed, and the fuel system examined for stale fuel if the vehicle has been left unused for extended periods. The brakes themselves are particularly susceptible to seizing when standing, so the calipers, particularly the handbrake mechanism and rear drums or calipers, should be checked for binding, and the discs inspected for severe surface corrosion or lipping that could cause shudder under braking. Finally, given the 2011 advisory noting a damaged offside front seat belt, confirm that the seat belt webbing, retractor function, and pre-tensioner operation are all sound, and verify that any structural repairs undertaken after the 2011 corrosion failure have been completed to a satisfactory standard, ideally with photographic evidence or invoices from the seller.