MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 3-SERIESs year 1986

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:56.59%

(The average a petrol BMW 3-SERIES year 1986 passes without issue)

Based on:10,769 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	876
Headlamp aim out of alignment	841
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	545
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	401
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	353
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	351
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	284
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	271
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	263
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	255
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	216
Registration plate issues	183
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	170
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	166
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	154
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	139
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	137
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	137
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	136
Registration plate lamp issues	135
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	134
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	129
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	118
Rear brake binding	114
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	113
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	110
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	107
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	102
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	98
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	87
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	84
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	82
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	78
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	76
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	74
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	72
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	71
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	70
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	69
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	68
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	65
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	65
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	64
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	63
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	62
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	62
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	62
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	61
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	61
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	60
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	60
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	59
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	59
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	58
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	57
Rear brake application uneven	56
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	55
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	55
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	55
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	54
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	52
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	50
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	50
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	49
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	49
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	48
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	48
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	47
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	47
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	46
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	44
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	44
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	44
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	43
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	42
Windscreen has damage	42
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	42
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	41
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	40
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	40
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	39
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	39
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	39
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	38
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	38
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	38
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	37
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	37
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	37
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	36
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	36
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	35
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	35
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	34
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	33
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	33
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	33
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	33
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	32
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	32
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	32
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	32
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	32
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	32
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	31
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	31
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	30
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	30
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	30
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	30
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	30
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	29
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	29
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	29
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	29
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	29
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	28
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	28
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	28
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	28
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	28
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	28
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	28
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	28
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	27
Front brake application uneven	27
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	27
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	26
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	26
Windscreen washer not working	26
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	25
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	25
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	25
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	25
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	25
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	24
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	24
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	23
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	23
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	23
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	23
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	23
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	22
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	22
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	22
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	22
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	21
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	21
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	21
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	21
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	21
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	20
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	20
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	20
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	20
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	20
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	20
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	20
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	19
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	19
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	19
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	19
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	19
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	19
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	19
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	18
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	18
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	18
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	18
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	18
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	18
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	17
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	17
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	17
Front Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	17
Offside Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	17
Nearside Outer Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	17
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	17
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	17
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	17
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	17
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	17
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	17
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	17
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	16
Offside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	16
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	16
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	16
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	16
Steering column flexible coupling has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	16
Offside Rear Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	15
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	15
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	15
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	15
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	15
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	15
Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured \|2.4.G.1\|	15
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure \|2.4.G.1\|	15
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	15
Offside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	15

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 1986

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