1998 BMW 3 Series 1.9L Petrol · E6 GUM
1998 BMW 3 Series (1.9L, petrol). First registered 01 Aug 1998. Recorded mileage 156,359 miles. MOT expired on 08 Nov 2025.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Chelmsford
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 08 Nov 2025
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 156,359 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.9L
- 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.
E6 GUM Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 25/03/2026
- 156,359 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 historical MOT failures
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
E6 GUM MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 BMW 3 Series (E6 GUM) between June 2023 and March 2026.
The record contains 2 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 25 March 2026 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
E6 GUM Mileage History
- 14/06/2023162,365 mi
- 13/07/2023162,379 mi+14 mi
- 26/07/2024179,624 mi+17,245 mi
- 09/11/2024154,648 mi-24,976 mi
- 25/03/2026156,359 mi+1,711 mi
Average of roughly -2,162 miles per year across 5 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
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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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