1990 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · G246 EBL
1990 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 06 Jul 1990. Recorded mileage 159,264 miles. MOT valid until 13 Apr 2027.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1990 · Maidstone
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 13 Apr 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 159,264 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.5L
- 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.
G246 EBL Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 15/04/2026
- 159,264 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 6 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
G246 EBL 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 1990 BMW 3 Series (G246 EBL) between December 2022 and April 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 15 April 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (9 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Steering (2 issues), Bodywork (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 19 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))”.
G246 EBL Mileage History
- 19/12/2022158,950 mi
- 18/12/2023159,029 mi+79 mi
- 05/02/2024159,067 mi+38 mi
- 21/01/2025158,208 mi-859 mi
- 15/04/2026159,264 mi+1,056 mi
Average of roughly 95 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
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: Good
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 1990 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.
- Rust (Arches/Jacking Points)Serious
Corrosion is endemic on UK E36s exposed to road salt. The rear wheel arch lips, outer and inner sill structures, and floor jacking points rust severely from the inside out.
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