1997 BMW 3 Series 2.8L Petrol · R488 ATR
1997 BMW 3 Series (2.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 162,500 miles. MOT expired on 02 Oct 2026.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 02 Oct 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 162,500 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.8L
- 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.
R488 ATR Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 27/09/2025
- 162,500 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (6 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R488 ATR 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 1997 BMW 3 Series (R488 ATR) between September 2022 and September 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 27 September 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: Brakes (6 issues), Lighting (5 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 12 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 Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn Lower bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired floor (7.1.1 (a) (i))”; “Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))”.
R488 ATR Mileage History
- 21/09/2022160,091 mi
- 13/10/2022160,188 mi+97 mi
- 17/10/2022160,249 mi+61 mi
- 04/10/2024162,366 mi+2,117 mi
- 27/09/2025162,500 mi+134 mi
Average of roughly 799 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
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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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