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Official DVLA Record
Outstanding Recall

2001 BMW 3 Series 3.0L Petrol · LD51 AAF

LD51 AAF

2001 BMW 3 Series (3.0L, petrol). First registered 01/09/2001. Recorded mileage 104,031 miles. MOT status: Expired. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.

Make & Model
BMW 3 SERIES
Year / Origin
2001 · Stanmore (North London)
Safety Recall
Recall Notice
MOT Status
Valid until 31/01/2026
Road Tax
SORN
Recorded Mileage
104,031 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
Fuel & Engine
PETROL · 3.0L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults

Outstanding Safety Recall Notice

Action Required

Official DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.

MOT Status
Expired
Valid until 31/01/2026
Tax Status
SORN
Statutory Off Road (SORN)
Fuel Type
PETROL
Year
2001
Engine
2979cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle's MOT history shows an improving trend in terms of pass results, moving from failures in early 2023 and early 2025 to a clean pass in the most recent test on 11 January 2025. While the 2025 failure occurred just one day before the subsequent pass, the absence of recorded defects in the latest certificate suggests the issues identified during that failed inspection were addressed. The recorded mileage of 104,031 miles for a 2001 model indicates an average annual usage of approximately 4,161 miles. This low annual mileage is consistent across the available data points, though the MOT records do not provide specific mileage increments for each individual year to confirm a steady rate of use. The lack of reported mileage in the 2023 and 2024 tests makes it difficult to determine if the vehicle has been subject to long periods of inactivity or consistent short-distance driving. A buyer should conduct a thorough physical inspection of the underside to check for structural corrosion, which is a common concern for vehicles of this age. Although the recent MOT history is clear of advisories, the previous failures indicate that mechanical or safety-related components required attention to meet standards. Focus should be placed on checking the condition of suspension bushes, coil springs, and brake components, alongside inspecting for any signs of fluid leaks or rubber degradation that might result from low usage.

LD51 AAF Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
  • Latest MOT passed on 11/01/2025
  • 104,031 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 2 historical MOT failures
  • 6 defects noted at the latest MOT

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

Updating live data
MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
35
/ 100 · Poor
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

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.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed
! Tax Status Unknown
! Average MOT pass rate (60%)
! Older vehicle
✗ Outstanding recall notice
Experian Provenance Check

Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for LD51AAF

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Stolen
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Finance
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Write-off
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Salvage
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Imported
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Exported
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Scrapped
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Destruction
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V5C Logbook
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Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant
Recall Notice Outstanding

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

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LD51 AAF Mileage History

  1. 23/01/2023102,249 mi
  2. 23/01/2023102,249 mi
  3. 18/01/2024102,813 mi+564 mi
  4. 10/01/2025104,031 mi+1,218 mi
  5. 11/01/2025104,031 mi

Average of roughly 905 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

LD51 AAF MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 7 Sept 2026, 11:27
MOT Analysis

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 2001 BMW 3 Series (LD51 AAF) between January 2023 and January 2025.

The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.

The most recent test on 11 January 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Bodywork (5 issues), Lighting (4 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Brakes (3 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 20 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 Headlamp incorrect colour and blue light fitted to the grill (4.1.4 (a))”; “Nearside Front Headlamp incorrect colour (4.1.4 (a))”; “Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
48/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£1,800-£2,400
Mileage
At 104,031 miles, this vehicle's mileage...

Our Verdict

Proceed with caution. While the mileage

Priority should be given to identifying the source of the oil leak that has been flagged in the MOT records for three consecutive years. While described as 'not excessive', persistent leaks on these engines can indicate failing gaskets or seals that may become more costly to repair over time. You should also verify that the rear tyres have been replaced following the January 2025 advisory regarding perishing at the base of the tread.

Check the service history for evidence of cooling system maintenance, as this is a known area of concern for early 2000s BMWs. Given the recent Lambda reading failure in January 2025, ensure the exhaust system is fully sealed and the engine is running efficiently. Use the history of minor electrical faults and lighting failures to negotiate a fair price.

The 2979cc petrol engine is the most expensive variant in the range to operate, with significantly higher fuel consumption and road tax than smaller 3 Series engines. Maintenance costs for a 25-year-old premium vehicle are typically higher, especially when addressing the aging rubber components and seals highlighted in the MOT history.

Insurance groups for the 3.0L model are generally higher than for the 2.0L or 2.2L versions. When combined with fuel and expected maintenance for a car of this vintage, annual running costs will be substantial.

Carefully inspect the engine bay and underside for the oil leak mentioned in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 MOT records. Examine the rear tyres specifically for cracking or perishing, as noted in the most recent test. Check the condition of the brake discs for pitting and ensure there is no vibration during braking, referencing the 2024 advisory regarding imbalanced front brakes.

Verify that the lighting is now compliant, as the vehicle failed in January 2025 due to incorrect headlamp colours and an unauthorised blue light in the grill. Finally, check for any signs of exhaust leaks, as a minor leak was noted in 2024 and a Lambda reading failure occurred in 2025.

This silver 3.0L BMW 3 Series has recorded 104,031 miles, which is below the expected average for a vehicle of this age. The MOT history reveals a recurring non-excessive oil leak noted in every test since January 2023, alongside recent issues with perishing rear tyres and exhaust emissions. The vehicle has a history of minor electrical failures, including lighting and warning systems.

This model has an average MOT pass rate of 80.1%, with common failure points typically involving the service brakes, headlamps, and exhaust systems.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns