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C12 SAM

2001 BMW M3

Yellow Petrol 3246cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Feb 2027
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

227,037 mi
Last recorded227,037 miles
Recorded on2 Feb 2026
Typical for 2001 BMW M382,992 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationC12 SAM
MakeBMW
ModelM3
Year2001
ColourYellow
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,246cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

20 pass 11 fail
Pass 2 Feb 2026 227,037 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively n/s/r o/s/r (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Feb 2025 218,295 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

oil leaking from front and rear

Fail 5 Feb 2025 218,295 miles

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

oil leaking from front and rear

Pass 2 Feb 2024 210,309 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge wearing on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material from n/s/r to o/s/r (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Jan 2023 200,798 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 17 Jan 2022 192,170 miles

Front Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner wheel arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner wheel arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear rear arches showing signs of filler

plastic cover sills, underfloor covers and engine under trays fitted preventing inspection of components

Fail 4 Jan 2022 192,167 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear rear arches showing signs of filler

Pass 21 Dec 2020 186,594 miles

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 17 Dec 2020 186,592 miles

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Jun 2019 177,596 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

TPMS light on

Fail 17 Jun 2019 177,595 miles

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

TPMS light on

Pass 12 Jun 2018 168,329 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 6 Jun 2017 158,894 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Fail 5 Jun 2017 158,894 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 6 Jun 2016 149,888 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

sill covers fitted

Fail 9 Jun 2015 139,849 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

front seat belts slow to return

n/s/f tyre at 2mm

o/s/f tyre at 3mm

oil level low

plastic sills

Pass 9 Jun 2015 139,849 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

front seat belts slow to return

n/s/f tyre at 2mm

o/s/f tyre at 3mm

oil level low

plastic sills

Fail 9 Jun 2014 129,033 miles

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 9 Jun 2014 129,033 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 20 Jun 2013 119,410 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Fail 17 Jun 2013 119,410 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Pass 12 Jun 2012 109,059 miles
Fail 11 Jun 2012 109,054 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 9 Jun 2011 97,851 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

front brake discs slightly worn

Fail 8 Jun 2011 97,849 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

front brake discs slightly worn

Pass 9 Jun 2010 90,189 miles

Covers over both door sills and parts of floors, not allowing full insepction

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 9 Jun 2009 83,320 miles

Covers over both door sills and inner wings and offside and nearside floors ,not allowing full inspection

Nearside Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Noise on rear axle or rear driveshafts

Offside Rear Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Slight damage and slight perishing to offside and nearside front tyre side walls

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 14 May 2008 76,779 miles
Pass 24 May 2007 73,192 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 2 May 2006 68,029 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Pass 2 May 2006 68,029 miles

How Reliable is the BMW M3?

Based on 440,678 MOT tests across 34,038 vehicles.

80.8%
Pass Rate
3,682
Miles/Year
32
Year Lifespan
34,038
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 14,421
Brake pipe excessively corroded 7,386
coil spring incomplete 5,157
coil spring fractured 4,494
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 3,944
Full BMW M3 reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

C12 SAM is a 2001 BMW M3 in Yellow with a 3,246cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

Across all 2001 BMW M3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 76.7% with a typical mileage of 82,992 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a BMW M3 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 14,421 recorded failures. If you're considering buying C12 SAM, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW M3 typically stays on UK roads for around 32 years. At 25 years old, this BMW M3 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of C12 SAM?

You can check the full history of C12 SAM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C12 SAM registered?

C12 SAM is a 2001 BMW M3, first registered on 22 May 2001.

Is C12 SAM safe to buy?

The MOT history for C12 SAM shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C12 SAM have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on C12 SAM. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.