MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 3-SERIESs year 1987

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:56.61%

(The average a petrol BMW 3-SERIES year 1987 passes without issue)

Based on:18,648 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	1705
Headlamp aim out of alignment	1421
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	1004
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	672
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	528
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	511
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	462
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	441
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	426
Registration plate issues	357
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	337
Registration plate lamp issues	319
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	288
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	278
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	251
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	246
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	215
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	213
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	203
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	198
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	185
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	185
Rear brake binding	176
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	158
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	153
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	150
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	149
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	144
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	142
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	141
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	141
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	137
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	134
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	130
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	128
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	127
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	125
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	123
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	120
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	119
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	116
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	115
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	112
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	112
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	111
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	109
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	106
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	104
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	102
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	102
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	102
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	100
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	99
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	96
Rear brake application uneven	91
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	91
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	89
Windscreen has damage	88
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	87
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	85
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	85
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	84
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	84
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	83
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	82
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	82
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	82
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	80
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	76
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	76
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	75
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	73
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	70
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	70
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	70
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	70
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	69
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	69
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	68
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	67
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	66
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	65
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	65
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	65
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	65
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	64
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	63
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	62
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	62
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	60
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	59
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	59
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	57
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	57
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	57
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	57
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	57
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	57
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	57
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	57
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	54
Windscreen washer not working	53
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	53
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	53
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	53
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	52
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	52
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	52
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	51
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	51
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	51
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	50
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	50
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	50
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	50
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	50
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	49
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	47
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	47
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	47
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	46
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	46
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	46
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	46
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	46
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	45
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	45
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	45
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	44
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	42
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	42
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	41
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	41
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	41
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	41
Front brake application uneven	41
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	40
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	40
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	39
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	39
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	39
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	38
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	37
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	37
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	37
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	37
Steering column flexible coupling has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	36
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	36
Front Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	36
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	35
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	35
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	35
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	35
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	34
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	34
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	34
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	34
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	34
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	33
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	33
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	32
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	31
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	31
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	31
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	31
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	30
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	30
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	30
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	30
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	30
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	30
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	30
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	30
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	30
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	29
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	29
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	29
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	29
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	28
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	28
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	28
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	28
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	28
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	28
Nearside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	28
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	27
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	27
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	27
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	27
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Brake hose damaged	27
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	26
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	26
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	26
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	26
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	26
Offside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	26
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	26
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	25
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	25
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	25
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	25

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 1987

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