1999 BMW 3 Series 2.8L Petrol · V251 PHJ
1999 BMW 3 Series (2.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Sept 1999. Recorded mileage 133,101 miles. MOT expired on 18 Apr 2011. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- BMW 3 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1999 · Worcester
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 18 Apr 2011
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 133,101 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
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.
V251 PHJ Key Findings
- 6 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 19/04/2010
- 133,101 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
V251 PHJ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
6 MOT tests are recorded for this 1999 BMW 3 Series (V251 PHJ) between February 2007 and April 2010.
The record contains 4 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 19 April 2010 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: Tyres (3 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
Recorded failure items include: “Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)”; “Offside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)”; “Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)”.
V251 PHJ Mileage History
- 14/02/200791,503 mi
- 01/03/200791,503 mi
- 14/02/200895,683 mi+4,180 mi
- 04/03/2009102,513 mi+6,830 mi
- 04/03/2009102,513 mi
- 19/04/2010133,101 mi+30,588 mi
Average of roughly 13,096 miles per year across 6 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for BMW 3 Series (E36)
Our database tracks 5 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
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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BMW 3 SERIES Model Intelligence & Reliability
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Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1999 model year cars.
- Cooling System OverhaulSerious
Plastic water pump impellers shatter, expansion tanks split along mould seams, and composite thermostat housings warp with age. A complete cooling overhaul is essential every 60k–80k miles.
- Rear Shock Mount TearingSerious
The sheet metal towers supporting the rear shock mounts can fatigue and tear out under rough road impacts, leaving the damper loose inside the boot.
- VANOS Rattle & Seal FailureModerate
The variable valve timing unit (single VANOS on M50TU/M52, dual on M52TU) suffers from Buna-N O-ring hardening and bearing axial play, leading to loss of low-end torque and a noisy marble-in-a-tin-can rattle.
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