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Official DVLA Record
MOT Valid
Road Tax Paid

2003 BMW 3 Series 2.8L Petrol · SP03 AEV

SP03 AEV

2003 BMW 3 Series (2.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Mar 2003. Recorded mileage 100,580 miles. MOT valid until 27 Jul 2027. Taxed until 01 Apr 2027.

Make & Model
BMW 3 SERIES
Year / Origin
2003 · Dundee
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Valid until 27 Jul 2027
Road Tax
Taxed (01 Apr 2027)
Recorded Mileage
100,580 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
Fuel & Engine
PETROL · 2.8L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 27 Jul 2027
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax due 01 Apr 2027
Fuel Type
PETROL
Year
2003
Engine
2792cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle presents a stable roadworthiness profile, maintaining a consistent pass record over the last three years. The most recent test conducted on 28 July 2025 at 99,129 miles resulted in no defects, indicating that the car currently meets the minimum legal standards. While a failure occurred on 25 July 2024, the vehicle passed successfully just four days later at the same mileage, suggesting the owner was proactive in rectifying identified issues immediately to maintain road legality. The mileage pattern is notably low for a 23-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,310 miles per year. Between the July 2022 test at 93,488 miles and the July 2025 test at 99,129 miles, the car covered only 5,641 miles. This low usage typically reduces wear on drivetrain and engine components, though long periods of standing can lead to the degradation of rubber-based parts, such as seals and bushings, which are not always captured by mileage. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the structural integrity of the chassis and subframes, as older-age BMWs are prone to corrosion in hidden areas regardless of low mileage. Given the age of the vehicle, inspect the suspension bushes for cracks or perished rubber components that age out rather than through use. The record shows no recurring mechanical advisories, but a manual check for brake caliper seizing or disc corrosion is necessary to ensure the low-usage pattern has not caused excessive oxidation of the braking system.
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SP03 AEV Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 21/07/2026
  • 100,580 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 2 historical MOT failures
  • 8 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring brakes items (21 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

SP03 AEV MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 6 Sept 2026, 16:10
MOT Analysis

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 2003 BMW 3 Series (SP03 AEV) between July 2024 and July 2026.

The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.

The most recent test on 21 July 2026 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 (21 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 29 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: “Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))”; “Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

SP03 AEV Mileage History

  1. 25/07/202497,541 mi
  2. 29/07/202497,541 mi
  3. 28/07/202599,129 mi+1,588 mi
  4. 20/07/2026100,580 mi+1,451 mi
  5. 21/07/2026100,580 mi

Average of roughly 1,528 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
75
/ 100 · Good
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Good

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.

✓ Valid MOT
✓ Taxed
! Average MOT pass rate (60%)
! Older vehicle
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Experian Provenance Data

Vehicle Provenance Investigation

9 Key Registers

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OUTSTANDING FINANCE

Experian Register

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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

MIAFTR Register

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POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

Police PNC

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SALVAGE & AUCTION

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IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

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EXPORTED MARKER

Export Register

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SCRAPPED RECORD

Scrappage Register

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

Confirms whether a statutory Certificate of Destruction has been issued against this chassis.

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V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

DVLA Master

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Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
42/100
Risk Level
High
High
Est. Annual Cost
£1,200-£1,600
Mileage
At 100,580 miles, the recorded mileage i...

Our Verdict

Proceed with caution. While the mileage

The primary concern with this vehicle is the braking system. Brake pipe corrosion has been flagged in every MOT test since July 2024; you should confirm whether these pipes have been fully replaced or merely treated to pass the test. Ensure there is documented evidence of the repairs made to resolve the ABS fault in July 2026 and the ESC fault in July 2024.

Additionally, seek clarification on the oil leak mentioned as an advisory in 2024 and 2025. Given the age of the 2.8L petrol engine, check for any evidence of recent gasket replacements or oil top-up records in the service history to determine if the leak has been addressed.

The 2792cc petrol engine will result in higher fuel consumption and a higher road tax bracket compared to smaller 3 Series variants. Insurance costs will depend on the driver's profile, but the engine size typically places it in a moderate to high insurance group.

Maintenance costs are likely to be elevated due to the vehicle's age and the recurring issues with corrosion and electrical faults seen in the MOT history. Expected annual spending will cover fuel, tax, and the necessary upkeep of aging suspension and braking components.

Prioritise a thorough inspection of the brake lines at all four corners. The MOT history specifically mentions corrosion on both the nearside and offside front and rear pipes, as well as deteriorating hoses. Any signs of fresh grease used to mask corrosion should be viewed as a red flag.

Inspect the front anti-roll bar pins and bushes, which were flagged as worn in the July 2026 test. Finally, check the rear coil springs for corrosion, as this was an advisory in 2025, and look for active oil leaks around the engine block as noted in previous years.

This silver 2003 BMW 3 Series has covered 100,580 miles, which is below the average for a vehicle of this age. However, the MOT history reveals a recurring pattern of corroded brake pipes and deteriorating brake hoses across multiple years. Recent failures regarding the ABS and ESC warning lamps indicate potential electrical or sensor issues that require verification.

This model has an average MOT pass rate of 80.1%, with service brakes being one of the top failure reasons, a trend mirrored in this specific vehicle's history.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns