MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 3-SERIESs year 1988

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:57.85%

(The average a petrol BMW 3-SERIES year 1988 passes without issue)

Based on:31,598 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	3271
Headlamp aim out of alignment	3093
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	1624
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	1479
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	1049
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	848
Registration plate issues	765
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	745
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	723
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	672
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	535
Registration plate lamp issues	515
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	421
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	392
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	370
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	348
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	338
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	337
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	311
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	290
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	289
Rear brake binding	286
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	276
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	258
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	255
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	254
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	242
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	241
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	240
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	239
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	233
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	224
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	223
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	215
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	213
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	212
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	209
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	205
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	203
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	193
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	184
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	176
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	172
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	169
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	168
Windscreen has damage	168
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	165
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	165
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	159
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	156
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	156
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	154
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	151
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	146
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	143
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	139
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	133
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	131
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	129
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	128
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	126
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	126
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	126
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	124
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	123
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	123
Rear brake application uneven	123
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	122
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	120
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	120
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	115
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	114
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	113
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	112
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	111
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	111
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	110
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	109
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	108
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	104
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	103
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	101
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	94
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	94
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	93
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	91
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	91
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	90
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	90
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	89
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	89
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	88
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	88
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	88
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	87
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	87
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	85
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	83
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	83
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	82
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	80
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	79
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	78
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	78
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	75
Windscreen washer not working	75
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	75
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	74
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	72
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	72
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	71
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	70
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	69
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	69
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	69
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	69
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	67
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	65
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	64
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	64
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	63
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	63
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	63
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	62
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	61
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	61
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	61
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	61
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	60
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	60
Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	60
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	60
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	60
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	59
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	58
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	58
Front brake application uneven	58
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	58
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	57
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	56
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	56
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	55
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	55
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	55
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	55
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	54
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	54
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	53
Front Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	53
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	53
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	53
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	52
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	52
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	52
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	51
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	51
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	50
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	50
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	49
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` \|8.3.1b\|	48
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	48
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	48
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	48
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	48
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	47
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	47
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	47
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	46
Brake hose damaged	46
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	46
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	46
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	46
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	45
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	45
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	45
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	45
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	44
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	44
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	44
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	44
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	43
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	43
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	43
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	43
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	43
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	42
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	42
Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	41
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	41
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	41
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	41
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	40
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	40
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	40

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 1988

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