1997 BMW 3 Series 1.8L Petrol · R953 FOU
1997 BMW 3 Series (1.8L, petrol). First registered 18 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 148,085 miles. MOT expired on 11 Sept 2025.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 11 Sept 2025
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 148,085 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
R953 FOU Key Findings
- 22 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 13/09/2024
- 148,085 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 4 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (23 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
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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R953 FOU Mileage History
- 06/06/2006112,916 mi
- 23/06/2007115,832 mi+2,916 mi
- 21/06/2008118,616 mi+2,784 mi
- 08/06/2009121,039 mi+2,423 mi
- 03/06/2010124,392 mi+3,353 mi
- 03/06/2010124,392 mi
- 03/06/2011126,421 mi+2,029 mi
- 04/06/2011126,435 mi+14 mi
- 25/06/2012128,397 mi+1,962 mi
- 24/06/2013130,321 mi+1,924 mi
- 07/06/2014132,161 mi+1,840 mi
- 25/06/2015133,362 mi+1,201 mi
- 27/05/2016134,899 mi+1,537 mi
- 02/06/2016134,977 mi+78 mi
- 05/06/2017138,877 mi+3,900 mi
- 30/05/2018140,858 mi+1,981 mi
- 28/05/2019142,096 mi+1,238 mi
- 30/06/2020143,354 mi+1,258 mi
- 09/07/2020143,366 mi+12 mi
- 16/06/2021144,513 mi+1,147 mi
- 01/09/2023145,022 mi+509 mi
- 13/09/2024148,085 mi+3,063 mi
Average of roughly 1,925 miles per year across 22 recorded odometer readings.
R953 FOU MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
22 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 BMW 3 Series (R953 FOU) between June 2006 and September 2024.
The record contains 18 passes and 4 failures.
The most recent test on 13 September 2024 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 4 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (23 issues), Brakes (15 issues), Tyres (14 issues), Lighting (5 issues), Steering (5 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 54 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 Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the”; “Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stre”.
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