BMW 3-Series MOT Results

Registered in 1988
73.0% pass rate
from 649 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 1988 cars and highlighted areas where the BMW 3-Series is unusually good or bad.

  • 12% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
    • 4.2% fail on Direction indicators
      • 4.2% fail on Flashing type
        • 3.2% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 1.4% fail on Side repeaters
    • 2.9% fail on Headlamps
      • 2.9% fail on Headlamp
    • 2.8% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 2.6% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 0.15% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 2.3% fail on Front and rear fog lamps
      • 2.3% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 2.3% fail on Rear fog lamp
    • 2.0% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 0.92% fail on Horn
      • 0.77% fail on Battery(ies)
      • 0.31% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 1.7% fail on Stop lamp
    • 0.62% fail on Registration plate lamp(s)
    • 0.46% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.46% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
    • 0.15% fail on Rear reflectors
  • 10% fail on Suspension
    • 4.3% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 4.0% fail on Suspension arms (70% worse than other 1988 cars)
      • 2.2% fail on Ball joint dust cover (170% worse than other 1988 cars)
      • 2.0% fail on Ball joint (160% worse than other 1988 cars)
      • 0.46% fail on Pins and bushes
    • 1.5% fail on Anti-roll bars
      • 1.1% fail on Linkage pins and bushes (3 times worse than other 1988 cars)
      • 0.15% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.15% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover
      • 0.15% fail on Linkage attachment bracket and mounting
    • 0.62% fail on Wheel bearings
    • 0.62% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.62% fail on Sub-frames
      • 0.31% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.15% fail on Sub-frame
      • 0.15% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.15% fail on Springs
      • 0.15% fail on Coil springs
        • 0.15% fail on Coil spring
    • 0.15% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.15% fail on Pins and bushes
    • 0.15% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.15% fail on Ball joint
  • 6.3% fail on Visibility
    • 4.2% fail on Washers
    • 2.5% fail on Wipers
    • 0.15% fail on Bonnet
    • 0.15% fail on View to rear
      • 0.15% fail on Mirrors
  • 6.2% fail on Brakes (38% better than other 1988 cars)
    • 4.3% fail on Brake performance (41% better than other 1988 cars)
      • 2.0% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp)
        • 1.8% fail on Rbt (sp)
        • 0.15% fail on Decelerometer (sp)
      • 1.7% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp)
        • 1.7% fail on Rbt (sp)
          • 0.92% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.92% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 1.1% fail on Service brake performance (66% better than other 1988 cars)
        • 1.1% fail on Rbt (64% better than other 1988 cars)
          • 0.92% fail on Service brake performance (64% better than other 1988 cars)
          • 0.31% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 0.62% fail on Parking brake performance
        • 0.46% fail on Rbt
          • 0.31% fail on Parking brake performance
          • 0.15% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
        • 0.15% fail on Decelerometer
          • 0.15% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
      • 0.31% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 1.5% fail on Rigid brake pipes
    • 0.77% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.31% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.15% fail on Pedal
      • 0.15% fail on Hand lever
    • 0.31% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 0.31% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 0.31% fail on Brake pads
    • 0.15% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.15% fail on Reservoirs
    • 0.15% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders)
      • 0.15% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers
    • 0.15% fail on Other components and prescribed areas
      • 0.15% fail on Prescribed areas
        • 0.15% fail on Other braking system component
  • 5.5% fail on Body, chassis, structure
    • 2.0% fail on Exhaust system
    • 1.4% fail on Chassis
      • 1.4% fail on Chassis condition
    • 0.92% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 0.92% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
    • 0.77% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.31% fail on Tank
      • 0.31% fail on Hose
      • 0.15% fail on Pipe
      • 0.15% fail on System
    • 0.31% fail on Bumpers
    • 0.31% fail on Body
      • 0.31% fail on Panel
    • 0.31% fail on Seats
      • 0.31% fail on Driver's seat
    • 0.15% fail on Transmission
      • 0.15% fail on Drive shafts
        • 0.15% fail on Joints
    • 0.15% fail on Doors
      • 0.15% fail on Front passenger's door
        • 0.15% fail on Door condition
      • 0.15% fail on Other passenger's door
        • 0.15% fail on Door condition
  • 3.7% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks
    • 3.5% fail on Exhaust emissions
      • 3.2% fail on Spark ignition
        • 1.8% fail on Non catalyst emissions (53% better than other 1988 cars)
        • 0.77% fail on Catalyst emissions
        • 0.62% fail on Emissions not tested
      • 0.31% fail on Compression ignition
        • 0.15% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Non turbo
        • 0.15% fail on Emissions not tested
    • 0.15% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.15% fail on Other leaks
  • 2.5% fail on Steering
    • 1.2% fail on Power steering (2 times worse than other 1988 cars)
      • 0.62% fail on Other components
      • 0.31% fail on Pipes and hoses
      • 0.15% fail on Operation
      • 0.15% fail on Rams
    • 1.1% fail on Steering gear
      • 0.92% fail on Steering rack
      • 0.15% fail on Operation
    • 0.46% fail on Steering linkage components (79% better than other 1988 cars)
      • 0.31% fail on Track rod end
      • 0.15% fail on Locking devices
    • 0.31% fail on Steering wheel
  • 1.8% fail on Tyres
    • 1.4% fail on Condition
    • 0.46% fail on Tread depth
  • 1.4% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems
    • 1.4% fail on Seat belts
      • 1.2% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 0.31% fail on Condition
  • 0.15% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.15% fail on Registration plates
  • 0.15% fail on Speedometer and speed limiter
    • 0.15% fail on Speed limiter
      • 0.15% fail on Speed limiter plate

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