BMW 3-Series MOT Results

Registered in 1989
74.8% pass rate
from 1,106 tests in 2021
(16% better than other 1989 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 1989 cars and highlighted areas where the BMW 3-Series is unusually good or bad.

  • 11% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
    • 3.4% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 3.4% fail on Headlamp aim
    • 3.4% fail on Direction indicators
      • 3.4% fail on Flashing type
        • 2.4% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 1.3% fail on Side repeaters
    • 2.4% fail on Stop lamp
    • 2.2% fail on Front and rear fog lamps
      • 2.2% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 2.1% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 0.18% fail on Switch (7 times worse than other 1989 cars)
    • 2.0% fail on Headlamps (42% better than other 1989 cars)
      • 1.7% fail on Headlamp (48% better than other 1989 cars)
      • 0.27% fail on Headlamp levelling device
    • 1.9% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 1.3% fail on Battery(ies)
      • 0.63% fail on Horn
      • 0.090% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 0.27% fail on Registration plate lamp(s) (79% better than other 1989 cars)
    • 0.27% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.27% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
    • 0.18% fail on Position lamps
      • 0.18% fail on Position lamp
  • 8.3% fail on Suspension
    • 3.5% fail on Suspension arms (60% worse than other 1989 cars)
      • 2.1% fail on Ball joint (150% worse than other 1989 cars)
      • 0.99% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.90% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.090% fail on Suspension arm
    • 3.0% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 1.6% fail on Anti-roll bars (140% worse than other 1989 cars)
      • 0.81% fail on Linkage pins and bushes (3 times worse than other 1989 cars)
      • 0.45% fail on Linkage (5 times worse than other 1989 cars)
      • 0.18% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.18% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover
      • 0.090% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.090% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.090% fail on Linkage ball joints
    • 0.90% fail on Wheel bearings
    • 0.81% fail on Springs
      • 0.72% fail on Coil springs
        • 0.63% fail on Coil spring
        • 0.090% fail on Mounting
      • 0.090% fail on Spring mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.63% fail on Sub-frames
      • 0.36% fail on Pins and bushes (3 times worse than other 1989 cars)
      • 0.27% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.54% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.18% fail on Axles
      • 0.090% fail on Axle
      • 0.090% fail on Swivel pins and bushes
    • 0.090% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.090% fail on Macpherson strut
    • 0.090% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.090% fail on Other suspension component
  • 7.9% fail on Brakes
    • 4.9% fail on Brake performance (30% better than other 1989 cars)
      • 3.0% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp)
        • 3.0% fail on Rbt (sp)
          • 2.0% fail on Service brake performance
          • 1.5% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 1.8% fail on Service brake performance
        • 1.8% fail on Rbt
          • 1.5% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.45% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 1.4% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp) (49% better than other 1989 cars)
        • 1.4% fail on Rbt (sp)
      • 0.45% fail on Parking brake performance
        • 0.45% fail on Rbt
          • 0.36% fail on Parking brake performance
          • 0.090% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
      • 0.090% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 2.0% fail on Rigid brake pipes
    • 0.90% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 0.63% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 0.54% fail on Brake pads
        • 0.090% fail on Brake linings
      • 0.27% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.18% fail on Brake discs
        • 0.090% fail on Brake drums
    • 0.63% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.54% fail on ABS / EBS / ESC
      • 0.54% fail on Anti-lock braking system
    • 0.45% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.18% fail on Reservoirs
      • 0.18% fail on Brake fluid
      • 0.090% fail on Master cylinder
    • 0.18% fail on Parking brake control
      • 0.18% fail on Lever
    • 0.090% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.090% fail on Hand lever
    • 0.090% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders)
      • 0.090% fail on Hydraulic brake cylinder
    • 0.090% fail on Other components and prescribed areas
      • 0.090% fail on Prescribed areas
        • 0.090% fail on Master cylinder/servo mounting
  • 6.2% fail on Visibility
    • 4.6% fail on Washers
    • 2.1% fail on Wipers
  • 4.9% fail on Body, chassis, structure (41% better than other 1989 cars)
    • 1.8% fail on Exhaust system
    • 1.2% fail on Chassis
      • 1.2% fail on Chassis condition
    • 0.99% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 0.99% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
    • 0.63% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.36% fail on Pipe
      • 0.27% fail on Hose
    • 0.45% fail on Doors
      • 0.36% fail on Front passenger's door
        • 0.36% fail on Door condition
      • 0.090% fail on Other passenger's door
        • 0.090% fail on Door condition
    • 0.45% fail on Seats
      • 0.45% fail on Driver's seat
    • 0.27% fail on Transmission (86% better than other 1989 cars)
      • 0.27% fail on Drive shafts (83% better than other 1989 cars)
        • 0.18% fail on Joints (88% better than other 1989 cars)
        • 0.090% fail on Drive shaft
    • 0.27% fail on Body
      • 0.18% fail on Panel
      • 0.18% fail on Other body component
    • 0.18% fail on Floor
    • 0.090% fail on Boot lid
      • 0.090% fail on Other boot lid component
    • 0.090% fail on Cabs
      • 0.090% fail on Prescribed areas
  • 3.6% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks (34% better than other 1989 cars)
    • 3.1% fail on Exhaust emissions (38% better than other 1989 cars)
      • 3.0% fail on Spark ignition
        • 1.9% fail on Non catalyst emissions (47% better than other 1989 cars)
        • 0.72% fail on Catalyst emissions
        • 0.36% fail on Emissions not tested
      • 0.090% fail on Compression ignition
        • 0.090% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Non turbo
    • 0.54% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.36% fail on Other leaks
      • 0.090% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.090% fail on Hydraulic fluid leaks
  • 1.7% fail on Steering (54% better than other 1989 cars)
    • 0.63% fail on Power steering
      • 0.45% fail on Pipes and hoses (2 times worse than other 1989 cars)
      • 0.18% fail on Operation
      • 0.090% fail on Other components
    • 0.54% fail on Steering linkage components (71% better than other 1989 cars)
      • 0.45% fail on Track rod end
      • 0.090% fail on Steering arm
    • 0.45% fail on Steering gear
      • 0.45% fail on Steering rack
    • 0.18% fail on Steering play
      • 0.18% fail on Steering rack
  • 1.7% fail on Tyres
    • 1.1% fail on Condition
    • 0.54% fail on Tread depth
    • 0.090% fail on Size/type
  • 1.4% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems
    • 1.4% fail on Seat belts
      • 0.99% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 0.45% fail on Condition
  • 0.54% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.45% fail on Attachment
    • 0.090% fail on Condition
  • 0.36% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.36% fail on Registration plates

Search Good Garages