1997 BMW 3 Series 2.5L Petrol · R96 LPH
1997 BMW 3 Series (2.5L, petrol). First registered 05 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 144,050 miles. MOT expired on 13 Aug 2020. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 13 Aug 2020
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 144,050 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.
R96 LPH Key Findings
- 16 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 14/08/2019
- 144,050 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R96 LPH MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
16 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 BMW 3 Series (R96 LPH) between September 2006 and August 2019.
The record contains 13 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 14 August 2019 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 3 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (9 issues), Lighting (4 issues), Brakes (2 issues), Bodywork (2 issues), Tyres (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 8 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 suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)”; “Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)”; “Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)”.
R96 LPH Mileage History
- 01/09/200656,317 mi
- 29/08/200867,427 mi+11,110 mi
- 31/08/201097,720 mi+30,293 mi
- 25/08/20110 mi-97,720 mi
- 24/08/20120 mi
- 23/08/20130 mi
- 23/08/20130 mi
- 03/10/2015133,784 mi+133,784 mi
- 29/09/2016141,821 mi+8,037 mi
- 01/08/2018144,004 mi+2,183 mi
- 14/08/2019144,050 mi+46 mi
Average of roughly 6,775 miles per year across 11 recorded odometer readings.
Recorded mileage decreased between one or more tests — a potential clocking indicator worth verifying before purchase.
Technical 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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