BMW 3-Series MOT Results

Registered in 1991
72.2% pass rate
from 889 tests in 2021
(15% better than other 1991 cars)
Pass rate by mileage
Failure rates by item

Here you can drill down into the failure rates for each item on the test. We've also compared the rates to the average results for 1991 cars and highlighted areas where the BMW 3-Series is unusually good or bad.

  • 15% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
    • 6.4% fail on Headlamp aim (50% worse than other 1991 cars)
      • 6.1% fail on Headlamp aim (55% worse than other 1991 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 4.6% fail on Headlamps
      • 3.3% fail on Headlamp
      • 1.3% fail on Headlamp levelling device (10 times worse than other 1991 cars)
    • 3.1% fail on Stop lamp
    • 3.1% fail on Front and rear fog lamps
      • 3.1% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 3.1% fail on Rear fog lamp
    • 2.4% fail on Direction indicators
      • 2.4% fail on Flashing type
        • 1.7% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 0.67% fail on Side repeaters
        • 0.22% fail on All direction indicators
    • 1.6% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 0.90% fail on Horn
      • 0.67% fail on Battery(ies)
    • 0.79% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.79% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
    • 0.34% fail on Registration plate lamp(s) (78% better than other 1991 cars)
  • 8.3% fail on Suspension
    • 3.4% fail on Suspension arms
      • 1.5% fail on Ball joint
      • 1.2% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 1.0% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.22% fail on Suspension arm
    • 2.5% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 1.7% fail on Anti-roll bars
      • 1.1% fail on Linkage pins and bushes (4 times worse than other 1991 cars)
      • 0.22% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.22% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover
      • 0.11% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.11% fail on Ball joint dust cover
    • 0.90% fail on Springs
      • 0.67% fail on Coil springs
        • 0.67% fail on Coil spring
      • 0.22% fail on Spring mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.79% fail on Wheel bearings
    • 0.67% fail on Sub-frames
      • 0.34% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.22% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas
      • 0.11% fail on Sub-frame
    • 0.56% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.34% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.22% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.11% fail on Ball joint
    • 0.22% fail on Axles
      • 0.11% fail on Axle
      • 0.11% fail on Swivel pins and bushes
    • 0.22% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.11% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.11% fail on Ball joint
  • 7.2% fail on Visibility
    • 5.3% fail on Washers
    • 2.9% fail on Wipers
    • 0.11% fail on View to rear
      • 0.11% fail on Mirrors
  • 6.1% fail on Brakes (45% better than other 1991 cars)
    • 3.8% fail on Brake performance (51% better than other 1991 cars)
      • 2.4% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp)
        • 2.4% fail on Rbt (sp)
      • 1.2% fail on Parking brake performance
        • 1.1% fail on Rbt
          • 0.90% fail on Parking brake performance
          • 0.11% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
          • 0.11% fail on Parking brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles)
        • 0.11% fail on Decelerometer
          • 0.11% fail on Parking brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles)
      • 1.1% fail on Service brake performance (66% better than other 1991 cars)
        • 1.1% fail on Rbt (65% better than other 1991 cars)
          • 1.1% fail on Service brake performance (60% better than other 1991 cars)
          • 0.11% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 1.0% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (69% better than other 1991 cars)
        • 1.0% fail on Rbt (sp) (68% better than other 1991 cars)
          • 0.67% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.56% fail on Service brake imbalance (74% better than other 1991 cars)
      • 0.11% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 1.5% fail on Rigid brake pipes
    • 0.45% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.34% fail on Parking brake control
      • 0.34% fail on Lever
    • 0.34% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 0.22% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 0.22% fail on Brake pads
      • 0.11% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.11% fail on Brake discs
  • 5.1% fail on Body, chassis, structure (42% better than other 1991 cars)
    • 2.2% fail on Exhaust system
    • 0.90% fail on Chassis
      • 0.90% fail on Chassis condition
    • 0.79% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 0.67% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
      • 0.11% fail on Sub-frame
        • 0.11% fail on Sub-frame condition
    • 0.79% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.45% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device
      • 0.11% fail on Tank
      • 0.11% fail on Hose
      • 0.11% fail on Pipe
    • 0.34% fail on Seats
      • 0.22% fail on Driver's seat
      • 0.11% fail on Passenger's seat
    • 0.22% fail on Bumpers
    • 0.22% fail on Doors
      • 0.22% fail on Front passenger's door
        • 0.22% fail on Door condition
    • 0.11% fail on Transmission
      • 0.11% fail on Drive shafts
        • 0.11% fail on Joints
    • 0.11% fail on Body
      • 0.11% fail on Panel
    • 0.11% fail on Floor
  • 2.6% fail on Steering
    • 1.1% fail on Steering gear
      • 1.1% fail on Steering rack
    • 0.79% fail on Power steering
      • 0.45% fail on Other components
      • 0.34% fail on Operation
      • 0.11% fail on Pipes and hoses
    • 0.67% fail on Steering linkage components (65% better than other 1991 cars)
      • 0.45% fail on Track rod end
      • 0.22% fail on Ball joint
    • 0.11% fail on Steering wheel
    • 0.11% fail on Steering coupling
      • 0.11% fail on Flexible coupling
  • 2.5% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks (47% better than other 1991 cars)
    • 1.8% fail on Exhaust emissions (56% better than other 1991 cars)
      • 1.7% fail on Spark ignition (55% better than other 1991 cars)
        • 1.1% fail on Non catalyst emissions (59% better than other 1991 cars)
        • 0.34% fail on Catalyst emissions
        • 0.22% fail on Emissions not tested
        • 0.11% fail on Emission control equipment
          • 0.11% fail on Catalytic converter
      • 0.11% fail on Compression ignition
        • 0.11% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Non turbo
    • 0.67% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.56% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.11% fail on Transmission oil leaks
  • 2.0% fail on Tyres
    • 1.2% fail on Condition
    • 0.67% fail on Tread depth
    • 0.11% fail on Size/type
  • 1.1% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems
    • 1.1% fail on Seat belts
      • 0.90% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 0.22% fail on Condition
  • 0.56% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.56% fail on Registration plates

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