1994 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · M904 BGN
1994 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 30 Sept 1994. Recorded mileage 107,533 miles. MOT valid until 28 May 2027.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1994 · Manchester
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 28 May 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 107,533 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.
M904 BGN Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 30/05/2026
- 107,533 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (15 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
M904 BGN 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 1994 BMW 3 Series (M904 BGN) between May 2023 and May 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 30 May 2026 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: Brakes (15 issues), Suspension (9 issues), Bodywork (7 issues), Tyres (6 issues), Steering (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 46 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: “Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Front Road wheel fractured (5.2.2 (a))”; “Offside Front Inner Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”.
M904 BGN Mileage History
- 15/05/202399,094 mi
- 13/05/2025106,805 mi+7,711 mi
- 15/05/2025106,807 mi+2 mi
- 30/05/2026107,533 mi+726 mi
- 30/05/2026107,533 mi
Average of roughly 2,775 miles per year across 5 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: 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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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 1994 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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