MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 3-SERIESs year 1984

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:57.65%

(The average a petrol BMW 3-SERIES year 1984 passes without issue)

Based on:2,907 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	243
Brake pipe excessively corroded	225
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	178
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	104
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	93
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	92
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	91
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	77
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	76
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	58
Registration plate lamp issues	53
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	49
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	46
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	41
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	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
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	37
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	36
Rear brake binding	35
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	32
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	32
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	29
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	29
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	29
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	29
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	28
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	28
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	28
Registration plate issues	27
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	26
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	26
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	25
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	25
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	23
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	23
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	23
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	23
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	21
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	19
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	19
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	18
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	18
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	17
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	17
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	15
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	15
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	15
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	15
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	15
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	15
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	14
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	14
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Rear brake application uneven	14
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	14
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	13
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	13
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	13
Front brake application uneven	13
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	12
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	12
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	12
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	12
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	12
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	11
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	11
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	11
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	11
Windscreen has damage	11
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	10
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	10
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	10
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Brake hose damaged	10
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	10
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	10
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	10
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	10
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	9
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	9
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	9
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	9
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	9
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	9
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	9
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	9
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	8
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	8
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	8
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	8
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	8
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	8
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Windscreen washer not working	8
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	8
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	8
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	8
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	8
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	8
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	7
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	7
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	7
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	7
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	7
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Offside Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` \|8.3.1b\|	6
Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	6
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	6
Offside Inner Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	6
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Offside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	6
Nearside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	6
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	6
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	6
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	6
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	6
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	6
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	6
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	6
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	6
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	5
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	5
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	5
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Offside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	5
Offside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	5
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	5
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	5
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	5
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	5
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Inner Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Rear Body or chassis has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Offside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	4
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	4
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	4
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Nearside Rear Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	4
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated and cannot function as intended \|2.4.F.3\|	4
Offside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated and cannot function as intended \|2.4.F.3\|	4
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp not in a clean condition affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	4
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	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.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 3-SERIESs year 1984

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