BMW 3-Series MOT Results

Registered in 1996
62.1% pass rate
from 1,625 tests in 2021
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 1996 cars and highlighted areas where the BMW 3-Series is unusually good or bad.

  • 15% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
    • 4.9% fail on Stop lamp (59% worse than other 1996 cars)
    • 4.7% fail on Headlamps (70% worse than other 1996 cars)
      • 4.3% fail on Headlamp (66% worse than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.43% fail on Headlamp levelling device
    • 3.6% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 3.5% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 0.25% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 2.5% fail on Direction indicators
      • 2.5% fail on Flashing type
        • 2.0% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 0.43% fail on Side repeaters
        • 0.31% fail on All direction indicators
        • 0.062% fail on Switch
    • 1.1% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 0.49% fail on Horn
      • 0.37% fail on Battery(ies)
      • 0.25% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 1.0% fail on Front and rear fog lamps (52% better than other 1996 cars)
      • 1.0% fail on Rear fog lamp (52% better than other 1996 cars)
        • 0.98% fail on Rear fog lamp (54% better than other 1996 cars)
        • 0.062% fail on Switch
    • 1.0% fail on Registration plate lamp(s)
    • 0.12% fail on Hazard warning
      • 0.12% fail on Switch
    • 0.062% fail on Position lamps
      • 0.062% fail on Position lamp
    • 0.062% fail on Rear reflectors
  • 14% fail on Suspension
    • 6.2% fail on Suspension arms (86% worse than other 1996 cars)
      • 3.6% fail on Ball joint (2 times worse than other 1996 cars)
      • 2.5% fail on Pins and bushes (98% worse than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.37% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.31% fail on Suspension arm
      • 0.12% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 3.8% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 2.8% fail on Anti-roll bars (51% worse than other 1996 cars)
      • 1.4% fail on Linkage pins and bushes (2 times worse than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.37% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting (2 times worse than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.25% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.18% fail on Anti-roll bar
      • 0.18% fail on Linkage
      • 0.12% fail on Linkage ball joints
      • 0.12% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.12% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover
      • 0.062% fail on Linkage attachment bracket and mounting
    • 1.7% fail on Springs
      • 1.7% fail on Coil springs
        • 1.6% fail on Coil spring
        • 0.062% fail on Mounting
      • 0.062% fail on Spring mounting prescribed areas
    • 1.2% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.98% fail on Wheel bearings
    • 0.18% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.18% fail on Ball joint
    • 0.12% fail on Sub-frames (79% better than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.062% fail on Axles
      • 0.062% fail on Axle
    • 0.062% fail on Air/gas/fluid suspension
      • 0.062% fail on Suspension unit
  • 12% fail on Brakes
    • 5.7% fail on Brake performance
      • 3.1% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp)
        • 3.1% fail on Rbt (sp)
      • 1.9% fail on Service brake performance
        • 1.9% fail on Rbt
          • 1.7% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.37% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 1.3% fail on Parking brake performance
        • 1.3% fail on Rbt
          • 1.1% fail on Parking brake performance
          • 0.18% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
      • 1.2% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (62% better than other 1996 cars)
        • 1.2% fail on Rbt (sp) (60% better than other 1996 cars)
          • 0.86% fail on Service brake imbalance (50% better than other 1996 cars)
          • 0.62% fail on Service brake performance (60% better than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.49% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 3.7% fail on Rigid brake pipes (53% worse than other 1996 cars)
    • 3.0% fail on ABS / EBS / ESC (2 times worse than other 1996 cars)
      • 3.0% fail on Anti-lock braking system (2 times worse than other 1996 cars)
    • 0.92% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 0.62% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 0.62% fail on Brake pads
      • 0.43% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.43% fail on Brake discs
    • 0.62% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.43% fail on Parking brake control
      • 0.43% fail on Lever
    • 0.37% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.31% fail on Hand lever
      • 0.062% fail on Pedal
    • 0.18% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.062% fail on Reservoirs
      • 0.062% fail on Brake fluid
      • 0.062% fail on Valves
    • 0.12% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders)
      • 0.12% fail on Hydraulic brake cylinder
  • 7.8% fail on Visibility
    • 5.0% fail on Washers (42% worse than other 1996 cars)
    • 2.9% fail on Wipers
    • 0.37% fail on View to rear
      • 0.37% fail on Mirrors
    • 0.31% fail on Bonnet
    • 0.25% fail on Condition of glass
      • 0.25% fail on Windscreen
  • 7.3% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks
    • 6.8% fail on Exhaust emissions
      • 6.6% fail on Spark ignition
        • 5.0% fail on Catalyst emissions
        • 1.6% fail on Emissions not tested
        • 0.062% fail on Non catalyst emissions
        • 0.062% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp
      • 0.25% fail on Compression ignition
        • 0.18% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Non turbo
        • 0.062% fail on On or after 01/01/2014
    • 0.55% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.43% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.12% fail on Hydraulic fluid leaks
  • 5.2% fail on Body, chassis, structure (46% better than other 1996 cars)
    • 1.7% fail on Exhaust system (41% better than other 1996 cars)
    • 1.3% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 1.3% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
    • 0.68% fail on Chassis (56% better than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.68% fail on Chassis condition (56% better than other 1996 cars)
    • 0.49% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.25% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device
      • 0.12% fail on Tank
      • 0.12% fail on Pipe
    • 0.49% fail on Doors
      • 0.31% fail on Front passenger's door
        • 0.31% fail on Door condition
      • 0.18% fail on Other passenger's door
        • 0.18% fail on Door condition
    • 0.25% fail on Body
      • 0.12% fail on Panel
      • 0.12% fail on Other body component
    • 0.25% fail on Seats
      • 0.25% fail on Driver's seat
    • 0.25% fail on Boot lid (5 times worse than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.25% fail on Boot lid condition (6 times worse than other 1996 cars)
    • 0.18% fail on Floor
    • 0.12% fail on Transmission (95% better than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.062% fail on Drive shafts
        • 0.062% fail on Joints
      • 0.062% fail on Prop shafts
        • 0.062% fail on Flexible couplings
    • 0.062% fail on Engine mounting
      • 0.062% fail on Engine mounting condition
    • 0.062% fail on Cabs
      • 0.062% fail on Prescribed areas
    • 0.062% fail on Undertray
  • 4.2% fail on Tyres (44% worse than other 1996 cars)
    • 2.5% fail on Tread depth (64% worse than other 1996 cars)
    • 2.2% fail on Condition
    • 0.062% fail on Size/type
  • 3.7% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems
    • 2.2% fail on Seat belts (35% better than other 1996 cars)
      • 1.6% fail on Prescribed areas (40% better than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.49% fail on Condition
      • 0.062% fail on Attachment
    • 1.7% fail on SRS malfunction indicator lamp (160% worse than other 1996 cars)
    • 0.062% fail on Airbags
      • 0.062% fail on Drivers airbag
  • 2.6% fail on Steering (36% better than other 1996 cars)
    • 1.0% fail on Steering gear
      • 1.0% fail on Steering rack
      • 0.062% fail on Operation
    • 0.86% fail on Steering linkage components (65% better than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.68% fail on Track rod end (56% better than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.062% fail on Drag link end
      • 0.062% fail on Steering arm
      • 0.062% fail on Other components
        • 0.062% fail on Steering linkage
    • 0.86% fail on Power steering (110% worse than other 1996 cars)
      • 0.43% fail on Other components
      • 0.18% fail on Pipes and hoses
      • 0.12% fail on Operation
      • 0.12% fail on Pump
      • 0.062% fail on Rams
    • 0.12% fail on Steering wheel
    • 0.062% fail on Steering column
    • 0.062% fail on Steering play
      • 0.062% fail on Steering rack
  • 0.68% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.68% fail on Registration plates
  • 0.49% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.49% fail on Attachment
  • 0.062% fail on Speedometer and speed limiter
    • 0.062% fail on Speedometer

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