MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 3-SERIESs year 1985

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:57.03%

(The average a petrol BMW 3-SERIES year 1985 passes without issue)

Based on:4,989 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	381
Headlamp aim out of alignment	362
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	257
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	184
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	177
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	161
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	157
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	153
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	128
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	107
Registration plate issues	104
Registration plate lamp issues	98
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	93
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	89
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	72
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	72
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	70
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	68
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	66
Rear brake binding	63
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	61
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	56
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	55
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	50
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	50
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	48
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	46
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	43
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	43
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	42
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	42
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	42
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	39
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	38
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	37
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	37
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	36
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	35
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	35
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	34
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	33
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	33
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	33
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	32
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	32
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	32
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	31
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	30
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	30
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	28
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	28
Rear brake application uneven	28
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	28
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	27
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	27
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	24
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	24
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	24
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	23
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	23
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	23
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	23
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	23
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	23
Windscreen has damage	23
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	22
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	22
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	21
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	20
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	20
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	20
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	20
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	19
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	19
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	19
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	19
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	19
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	19
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	18
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	18
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	18
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	18
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	17
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	17
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	17
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	17
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	17
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	17
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	17
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	16
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	16
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	16
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	16
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	16
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	16
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	15
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	15
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	15
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	15
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	15
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	15
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	14
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	14
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	13
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	13
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	13
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	13
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	13
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	13
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	13
Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	12
Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	12
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	12
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	12
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	12
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	12
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	12
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	12
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	11
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	11
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	11
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	11
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	10
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	10
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	10
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	10
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	10
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	10
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	10
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Power steering inoperative \|2.3.3a\|	10
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Rear Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced \|2.4.F.2\|	10
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Brake hose damaged	10
Front brake application uneven	10
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	10
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	10
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	9
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Windscreen washer not working	9
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	9
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	9
Offside Rear Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced \|2.4.F.2\|	9
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	8
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	8
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated \|3.1.3c\|	8
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	8
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	8
Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	8
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	8
Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	8
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` \|8.3.1b\|	8
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	8
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	8
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	8
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	8
Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	7
Nearside Rear wheel cylinder leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	7
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	7
Offside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	7
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	7
Nearside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	7
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Offside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	7

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 1985

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