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N54 PWL

1996 BMW Z3

Red Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Oct 2026
Tests25 (16 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate64%

Mileage

121,724 mi
Last recorded121,724 miles
Recorded on29 Oct 2025
Typical for 1996 BMW Z3102,613 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationN54 PWL
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1996
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,895cc

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

16 pass 9 fail
Pass 29 Oct 2025 121,724 miles
Pass 29 Oct 2024 117,306 miles
Fail 28 Oct 2024 117,306 miles

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Pass 30 Oct 2023 115,217 miles
Fail 21 Jul 2020 115,152 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Road wheel badly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded over diff (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system over diff (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Coil spring corroded all 4 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 29 Nov 2018 114,905 miles

Offside Rear some corrosion to sill/jacking point

Fail 28 Nov 2018 114,905 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear some corrosion to sill/jacking point

Pass 22 Nov 2017 111,818 miles

both rear jacking points corroded

rear brake discs corroded

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Pass 24 Nov 2016 110,171 miles
Fail 21 Nov 2016 110,171 miles

Electrical wiring inadequately supported behind drivers seat amp wiring (1.9.2a)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

osr park brake grinding

Pass 10 Nov 2015 107,542 miles
Fail 10 Nov 2015 107,542 miles

Nearside Front brake caliper securing device missing anti rattle spring (3.5.1j)

Offside Front brake caliper securing device missing anti rattle spring (3.5.1j)

Nearside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e) DANGEROUS

Pass 27 Nov 2014 106,046 miles
Fail 20 Nov 2014 106,045 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Pass 14 Aug 2013 105,725 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

squeek in steering column

Pass 5 Jan 2012 102,376 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

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

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

Fail 5 Jan 2012 102,376 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

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

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

Pass 24 Jan 2011 96,779 miles

rear suspension coil springs rusty

Fail 21 Jan 2011 96,779 miles

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

Offside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking from a joint (2.3.3b)

front and rear brake discs corroding

rear suspension coil springs rusty

Pass 12 Jan 2010 90,225 miles

brake discs front and rear corroded

rear tyres low tread in the centre

very slight play at o/s/f steering rack

Pass 16 Jan 2009 79,880 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

brake cable outer sleeve broken

Pass 16 Jan 2008 69,999 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 5 Jan 2007 59,082 miles
Fail 4 Jan 2007 59,082 miles

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

Pass 10 Jan 2006 52,227 miles

How Reliable is the BMW Z3?

Based on 498,063 MOT tests across 26,000 vehicles.

73.2%
Pass Rate
2,128
Miles/Year
29
Year Lifespan
26,000
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 17,103
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 15,600
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 10,064
position lamp(s) not working 9,305
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 7,992
Full BMW Z3 reliability report

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N54 PWL is a 1996 BMW Z3 in Red with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64%.

Across all 1996 BMW Z3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.8% with a typical mileage of 102,613 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 Z3 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 17,103 recorded failures. If you're considering buying N54 PWL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW Z3 typically stays on UK roads for around 29 years. At 30 years old, this BMW Z3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N54 PWL?

You can check the full history of N54 PWL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N54 PWL registered?

N54 PWL is a 1996 BMW Z3, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is N54 PWL safe to buy?

The MOT history for N54 PWL shows 25 tests with a 64% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N54 PWL 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 N54 PWL. 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.