1997 BMW 3 Series 1.8L Petrol · P281 JMO
1997 BMW 3 Series (1.8L, petrol). First registered 30 May 1997. Recorded mileage 78,002 miles. MOT expired on 17 Mar 2023.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 17 Mar 2023
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 78,002 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.8L
- 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.
P281 JMO Key Findings
- 19 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT failed on 22/08/2026
- 78,002 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 6 historical MOT failures
- 20 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (25 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P281 JMO MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
19 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 BMW 3 Series (P281 JMO) between June 2006 and August 2026.
The record contains 13 passes and 6 failures.
The most recent test on 22 August 2026 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (25 issues), Suspension (21 issues), Tyres (13 issues), Lighting (10 issues), Bodywork (8 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 68 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: “Brake pedal pivot has excessive wear or free play Side to Side (1.1.1 (b))”; “Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))”; “Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))”.
P281 JMO Mileage History
- 13/06/200644,376 mi
- 13/06/200644,376 mi
- 11/06/200745,573 mi+1,197 mi
- 12/06/200846,962 mi+1,389 mi
- 09/06/200948,129 mi+1,167 mi
- 07/06/201049,384 mi+1,255 mi
- 06/06/201150,348 mi+964 mi
- 08/01/201651,256 mi+908 mi
- 08/01/201651,256 mi
- 14/01/201757,893 mi+6,637 mi
- 08/02/201864,366 mi+6,473 mi
- 01/03/201966,914 mi+2,548 mi
- 07/03/201966,986 mi+72 mi
- 13/03/202069,141 mi+2,155 mi
- 11/03/202173,522 mi+4,381 mi
- 18/03/202173,535 mi+13 mi
- 08/03/202277,296 mi+3,761 mi
- 01/08/202678,000 mi+704 mi
- 22/08/202678,002 mi+2 mi
Average of roughly 1,665 miles per year across 19 recorded odometer readings.
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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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