1997 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · R480 AWT
1997 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 21 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 119,283 miles. MOT expired on 10 Nov 2022. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 10 Nov 2022
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 119,283 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.5L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial 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.
AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
This vehicle has not had an MOT in the past 5 years. Mechanical analysis was skipped.
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.
R480 AWT Key Findings
- 1 MOT test recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 10/11/2021
- 119,283 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R480 AWT MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
1 MOT test are recorded for this 1997 BMW 3 Series (R480 AWT) between November 2021 and November 2021.
The record contains 1 pass and 0 failures.
The record shows no MOT failures, although 0 advisory notices note items to monitor.
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.
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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 1997 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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