1989 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · IIL 3161
1989 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 26 May 1989. Recorded mileage 165,141 miles. MOT expired on 25 Jun 2026.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1989
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 25 Jun 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 165,141 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.
IIL 3161 Key Findings
- 21 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 27/06/2025
- 165,141 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 10 historical MOT failures
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (43 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
IIL 3161 MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
21 MOT tests are recorded for this 1989 BMW 3 Series (IIL 3161) between September 2005 and June 2025.
The record contains 11 passes and 10 failures.
The most recent test on 27 June 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 10 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (43 issues), Lighting (29 issues), Suspension (18 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (5 issues), Tyres (4 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 61 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: “Central Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure (1.1.12 (d))”; “Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor pan corroded (7.1.1”; “Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stre”.
IIL 3161 Mileage History
- 23/09/2005130,983 mi
- 23/09/2005130,983 mi
- 27/09/2006131,344 mi+361 mi
- 08/02/2007131,510 mi+166 mi
- 24/07/2007131,511 mi+1 mi
- 01/08/2007131,511 mi
- 23/05/2009132,555 mi+1,044 mi
- 29/05/2010134,021 mi+1,466 mi
- 12/05/2011139,172 mi+5,151 mi
- 12/05/2011139,173 mi+1 mi
- 10/05/2012144,621 mi+5,448 mi
- 10/05/2012144,621 mi
- 28/05/2013155,359 mi+10,738 mi
- 01/06/2013155,630 mi+271 mi
- 17/03/2017163,597 mi+7,967 mi
- 24/06/2020165,120 mi+1,523 mi
- 26/06/2020165,120 mi
- 28/04/2021165,120 mi
- 29/04/2021165,120 mi
- 26/06/2025165,141 mi+21 mi
- 27/06/2025165,141 mi
Average of roughly 1,729 miles per year across 21 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.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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