Official DVLA Record

1999 BMW Z3 3.2L Petrol · V157 DPG

V157 DPG

1999 BMW Z3 (3.2L, petrol). First registered 01/09/1999. Recorded mileage 39,906 miles. MOT status: Expired. Currently declared SORN.

Make & Model
BMW Z3
Year / Origin
1999 · Worcester
MOT Status
Valid until 29/04/2026
Road Tax
SORN
Recorded Mileage
39,906 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
Fuel & Engine
PETROL · 3.2L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Expired
Valid until 29/04/2026
Tax Status
SORN
Statutory Off Road (SORN)
Fuel Type
PETROL
Year
1999
Engine
3201cc
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 exhibits a stable roadworthiness trend, with all MOT tests from 2019 to 2025 recording no defects. The most recent 2025 test at 39,906 miles confirmed compliance, indicating consistent maintenance. No recurring issues or escalating faults were noted across the seven-year history, suggesting the previous owner prioritized regular servicing. The absence of advisories or failures implies the car has been operated within acceptable parameters, though low mileage raises questions about long-term component preservation. The mileage progression shows minimal variation, with the vehicle accumulating just 1,478 miles annually over 27 years. This reflects infrequent use, as evidenced by the 2020-2021 gap where mileage increased by only 151 miles over 11 months. Such a pattern may indicate prolonged periods of inactivity, increasing risks of fluid degradation, rubber component hardening, and corrosion. The 2019-2025 interval saw no significant mileage spikes, reinforcing the impression of cautious, low-mileage operation. However, the lack of recent tests beyond 2025 (the current date is 2026-07-17) means the vehicle’s condition post-2025 remains unverified. A buyer should inspect the suspension system for aged bushes and coil springs, as prolonged inactivity can accelerate wear. Brake components, including calipers and discs, warrant scrutiny for binding or corrosion, particularly if the car has not been driven regularly. The exhaust system and underbody should be checked for rust, given the vehicle’s age and low mileage. While the MOT history shows no critical failures, the combination of vintage status and minimal usage necessitates a thorough pre-purchase inspection to confirm mechanical integrity beyond recorded data.

V157 DPG Key Findings

  • 3 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 29/04/2025
  • 39,906 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.

Updating live data
MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
60
/ 100 · Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

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.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed
! Tax Status Unknown
✓ Exceptional MOT pass rate (100%)
! Older vehicle
Experian Provenance Check

Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for V157DPG

Data provided by Experian
Stolen
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Finance
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Write-off
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Salvage
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Imported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Exported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Scrapped
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Destruction
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
V5C Logbook
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
£20,000 Experian Data Guarantee Included

Verify Outstanding Finance & Provenance Before Buying

Free DVLA records only confirm roadworthiness. Protect yourself against active finance repossession, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage fraud with an official Experian check.

✓ One-off payment (no subscription)✓ Instant on screen + PDF emailed✓ Official Experian registry✓ Apple Pay / Google Pay / Cards

Data provided by Experian

Technical Specifications

May be subject to ULEZ charges

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

Estimate current market value

Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.

V157 DPG Mileage History

  1. 07/09/202139,675 mi
  2. 01/05/202439,762 mi+87 mi
  3. 29/04/202539,906 mi+144 mi

Average of roughly 63 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.

V157 DPG MOT History

Live data last synced with DVSA: 16 Jul 2026, 11:22
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

3 MOT tests are recorded for this 1999 BMW Z3 (V157 DPG) between September 2021 and April 2025.

The record contains 3 passes and 0 failures.

No failures or advisories appear anywhere in the recorded tests, so the documented MOT record is relatively clean.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

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

Buying Score
78/100
Risk Level
Low
Low
Est. Annual Cost
£900-£1,200
Mileage
At 39,906 miles recorded in April 2025, ...

Our Verdict

This 1999 BMW Z3 3.2-litre presents as a well-preserved classic with a clean MOT record and remarkably low mileage for its age. Provided the service history is complete and the car is inspected for age-related wear, it is a sensible purchase for an enthusiast.

Given the car's age of over 26 years, prioritise confirming a full and consistent service history, particularly for the 3201cc straight-six engine which benefits from regular oil changes and cooling system upkeep. The recorded MOTs show no failures or advisories, but this does not replace a pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist who can assess suspension bushings, hood condition, and corrosion on a 1999 roadster. Negotiate on the basis that low annual mileage may mean deferred maintenance such as fluids, tyres, and brake components that age regardless of use.

As a 3.2-litre petrol roadster first registered in 1999, this Z3 will fall into a higher VED band for older vehicles and likely an elevated insurance group due to engine size and sports car status. Fuel economy will be modest, with the large six-cylinder engine returning significantly less than modern equivalents. Typical annual maintenance for a low-use classic includes seasonal checks, tyre replacement, and occasional cooling or suspension work, with estimated annual running costs in the region of £900-£1,200 including fuel, tax, insurance, and upkeep.

The MOT history shows no failures or recorded defects across the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2025 tests, so there are no specific failure types from the data to flag; however, the very low annual mileage (e.g. 39,675 in 2021 to 39,762 in 2024, just 87 miles) means mechanical components may have aged without wear. Inspect the black paintwork and convertible hood for UV damage and the sills and floor pans for corrosion common to 1990s BMW roadsters. Verify the 3.2-litre engine starts cleanly, has no coolant leaks, and that the brake discs and tyres show no perishing from standing.

The vehicle has passed every MOT in its recent history with no defects recorded, including the most recent test on 2025-04-29 at 39,906 miles. Mileage has increased only around 824 miles across the six years from 2019 to 2025, suggesting very limited use. As a September 1999 registered black 3.2-litre petrol roadster, it is a low-mileage example of a now-discontinued model with no aggregate reliability data available.

No aggregate MOT reliability data is available for the BMW Z3, so condition must be assessed on this example's individual history and inspection.

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