BMW 3-Series MOT Results

Registered in 1997
62.4% pass rate
from 2,308 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 1997 cars and highlighted areas where the BMW 3-Series is unusually good or bad.

  • 15% fail on Suspension (19% worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 7.3% fail on Suspension arms (110% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 5.0% fail on Ball joint (2 times worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 1.9% fail on Pins and bushes (60% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.52% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.39% fail on Suspension arm
      • 0.087% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 3.9% fail on Anti-roll bars (70% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 1.8% fail on Linkage pins and bushes (2 times worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 1.2% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting (6 times worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.26% fail on Linkage ball joints
      • 0.17% fail on Linkage
      • 0.17% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.17% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover
      • 0.13% fail on Anti-roll bar
      • 0.13% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.087% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.087% fail on Linkage attachment bracket and mounting
    • 3.6% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 2.4% fail on Springs (49% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 2.3% fail on Coil springs (62% worse than other 1997 cars)
        • 2.3% fail on Coil spring (63% worse than other 1997 cars)
        • 0.043% fail on Mounting
      • 0.043% fail on Leaf springs
        • 0.043% fail on Spring saddle
      • 0.043% fail on Spring mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.74% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.52% fail on Wheel bearings (63% better than other 1997 cars)
    • 0.39% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.17% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.087% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.043% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.043% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.043% fail on Ball joint dust cover
    • 0.17% fail on Sub-frames (70% better than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.13% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas
      • 0.043% fail on Sub-frame
    • 0.13% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.087% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.043% fail on Pins and bushes
  • 14% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
    • 5.0% fail on Stop lamp (50% worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 5.0% fail on Headlamps (78% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 4.9% fail on Headlamp (91% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.087% fail on Headlamp levelling device
      • 0.043% fail on Dipswitch
    • 3.8% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 3.4% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 0.43% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 2.4% fail on Direction indicators
      • 2.4% fail on Flashing type
        • 1.9% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 0.30% fail on Side repeaters (64% better than other 1997 cars)
        • 0.26% fail on All direction indicators
    • 0.78% fail on Front and rear fog lamps (56% better than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.78% fail on Rear fog lamp (56% better than other 1997 cars)
        • 0.74% fail on Rear fog lamp (58% better than other 1997 cars)
        • 0.043% fail on Switch
    • 0.78% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 0.39% fail on Horn
      • 0.30% fail on Battery(ies)
      • 0.087% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 0.48% fail on Registration plate lamp(s) (66% better than other 1997 cars)
    • 0.043% fail on Hazard warning
      • 0.043% fail on Switch
    • 0.043% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.043% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
  • 12% fail on Brakes
    • 6.0% fail on Brake performance
      • 3.4% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp)
        • 3.3% fail on Rbt (sp)
        • 0.043% fail on Decelerometer (sp)
      • 1.9% fail on Service brake performance
        • 1.9% fail on Rbt
          • 1.6% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.56% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 1.4% fail on Parking brake performance
        • 1.3% fail on Rbt
          • 1.2% fail on Parking brake performance
          • 0.17% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
        • 0.043% fail on Plate brake tester
          • 0.043% fail on Parking brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles)
      • 0.87% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (70% better than other 1997 cars)
        • 0.87% fail on Rbt (sp) (69% better than other 1997 cars)
          • 0.56% fail on Service brake imbalance (66% better than other 1997 cars)
          • 0.43% fail on Service brake performance (70% better than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.35% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 3.9% fail on Rigid brake pipes (64% worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 2.8% fail on ABS / EBS / ESC (140% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 2.5% fail on Anti-lock braking system (130% worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.52% fail on Electronic stability control (3 times worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.043% fail on Electronic braking system
    • 1.3% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 1.00% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 0.95% fail on Brake pads
        • 0.043% fail on Brake linings
      • 0.43% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.43% fail on Brake discs
      • 0.043% fail on Brake cables, rods, levers and linkages
        • 0.043% fail on Cable
    • 0.61% fail on Parking brake control
      • 0.56% fail on Lever
      • 0.043% fail on Electronic parking brake
    • 0.43% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.35% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.22% fail on Hand lever
      • 0.17% fail on Pedal
    • 0.30% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders)
      • 0.22% fail on Hydraulic brake cylinder
      • 0.087% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers
    • 0.17% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.13% fail on Brake fluid
      • 0.043% fail on Reservoirs
  • 7.9% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks
    • 7.5% fail on Exhaust emissions
      • 7.3% fail on Spark ignition
        • 6.2% fail on Catalyst emissions
        • 0.91% fail on Emissions not tested
        • 0.22% fail on Emission control equipment
          • 0.17% fail on Catalytic converter
          • 0.043% fail on Other emission control equipment
        • 0.13% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp
        • 0.087% fail on Non catalyst emissions
      • 0.22% fail on Compression ignition
        • 0.087% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Non turbo
        • 0.087% fail on Emissions not tested
        • 0.043% fail on On or after 01/07/2008
    • 0.48% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.39% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.087% fail on Other leaks
  • 7.0% fail on Visibility
    • 4.0% fail on Washers
    • 2.5% fail on Wipers (32% better than other 1997 cars)
    • 0.48% fail on Bonnet (160% worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 0.26% fail on Condition of glass
      • 0.26% fail on Windscreen
    • 0.22% fail on View to rear
      • 0.22% fail on Mirrors
  • 5.9% fail on Body, chassis, structure (38% better than other 1997 cars)
    • 1.8% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 1.8% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
    • 1.8% fail on Exhaust system (43% better than other 1997 cars)
    • 0.91% fail on Chassis
      • 0.91% fail on Chassis condition
    • 0.43% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.17% fail on Pipe
      • 0.13% fail on Tank
      • 0.087% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device
      • 0.043% fail on Hose
    • 0.39% fail on Doors
      • 0.13% fail on Driver's door
        • 0.087% fail on Door condition
        • 0.043% fail on Hinge
      • 0.13% fail on Front passenger's door
        • 0.13% fail on Door condition
      • 0.13% fail on Other passenger's door
        • 0.13% fail on Door condition
    • 0.30% fail on Floor
    • 0.22% fail on Body
      • 0.087% fail on Panel
      • 0.087% fail on Other body component
      • 0.043% fail on Body condition
    • 0.17% fail on Seats
      • 0.13% fail on Passenger's seat
      • 0.043% fail on Driver's seat
    • 0.13% fail on Transmission (95% better than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.087% fail on Drive shafts (96% better than other 1997 cars)
        • 0.087% fail on Joints (96% better than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.043% fail on Prop shafts
        • 0.043% fail on Prop shaft
    • 0.13% fail on Boot lid
      • 0.13% fail on Boot lid condition
    • 0.087% fail on Bumpers
    • 0.087% fail on Cabs
      • 0.087% fail on Prescribed areas
  • 4.9% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (29% worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 3.4% fail on SRS malfunction indicator lamp (2 times worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 1.6% fail on Seat belts (44% better than other 1997 cars)
      • 1.3% fail on Prescribed areas (42% better than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.26% fail on Condition
    • 0.22% fail on Airbags (3 times worse than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.22% fail on Drivers airbag (3 times worse than other 1997 cars)
  • 4.2% fail on Tyres
    • 2.4% fail on Tread depth
    • 1.9% fail on Condition
    • 0.043% fail on Size/type
  • 2.3% fail on Steering (37% better than other 1997 cars)
    • 0.95% fail on Steering gear
      • 0.91% fail on Steering rack
      • 0.043% fail on Operation
    • 0.91% fail on Steering linkage components (56% better than other 1997 cars)
      • 0.78% fail on Track rod end
      • 0.087% fail on Drag link end
      • 0.043% fail on Ball joint
    • 0.52% fail on Power steering
      • 0.26% fail on Operation
      • 0.22% fail on Pipes and hoses
      • 0.087% fail on Other components
      • 0.043% fail on Rams
    • 0.087% fail on Steering play
      • 0.087% fail on Steering rack
    • 0.043% fail on Steering column
  • 0.87% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.87% fail on Registration plates
  • 0.87% fail on Road Wheels (190% worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 0.78% fail on Attachment (2 times worse than other 1997 cars)
    • 0.087% fail on Condition

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