MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 3-SERIESs year 1983

Review the list of common BMW 3-SERIES failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your BMW then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:59.17%

(The average a petrol BMW 3-SERIES year 1983 passes without issue)

Based on:2,662 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	208
Brake pipe excessively corroded	186
Registration plate lamp issues	136
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	124
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	111
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	96
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	92
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	77
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	71
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	69
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	66
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	66
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	63
Registration plate issues	56
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	45
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	42
Rear brake binding	39
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	39
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	38
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	35
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	33
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	29
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	27
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	26
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	25
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	25
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	25
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	24
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	23
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	22
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	22
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	22
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	21
Front brake application uneven	21
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	20
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	20
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	19
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	18
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	18
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	18
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	17
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	17
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	17
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	17
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	16
Steering rack insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	16
Rear brake application uneven	16
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	15
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	15
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	14
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	14
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	13
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	13
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	12
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	12
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	12
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	10
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	10
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	9
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	9
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	9
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Windscreen has damage	9
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	9
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	8
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	8
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	8
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	8
Offside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	8
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	8
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	8
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	8
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	8
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	7
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	7
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	7
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	7
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	6
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	6
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	6
Windscreen washer not working	6
Steering system excessively tight \|2.2.D.1\|	6
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	6
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	6
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	6
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	6
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	5
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
rear brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	5
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	5
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	5
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	5
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	5
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	5
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	5
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	5
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	5
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	5
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	5
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	5
Service brake efficiency below requirements \|1.2.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	4
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	4
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	4
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	4
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	4
Nearside Front An item not tested \|Manual\|	4
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Front Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	4
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	4
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` \|8.3.1b\|	4
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle \|7.3.A.2b\|	4
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	4
Offside Front Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	4
Nearside Rear wheel cylinder leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	4
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	4
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	4
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Nearside Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	4
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
front brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	4
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	4
Rear Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	4
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	4
Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	4

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

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MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 3-SERIESs year 1983

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