MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 3-SERIESs year 1991

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:53.28%

(The average a petrol BMW 3-SERIES year 1991 passes without issue)

Based on:66,372 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	9537
Brake pipe excessively corroded	8256
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	4181
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	3186
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	3112
Registration plate lamp issues	3054
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	1692
Registration plate issues	1456
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	1273
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	1267
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	1166
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	1106
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	1054
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	969
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	889
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	840
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	837
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	836
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	793
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	771
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	721
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	700
Rear brake binding	681
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	652
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	638
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	604
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	599
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	568
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	562
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	559
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	526
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	520
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	514
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	506
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	500
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	488
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	467
Windscreen has damage	443
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	423
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	416
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	394
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	391
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	386
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	384
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	382
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	380
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	373
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	367
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	360
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	357
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	341
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	335
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	330
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	314
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	299
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	297
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	297
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	296
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	291
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	287
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	284
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	281
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	275
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	275
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	274
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	267
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	266
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	264
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	261
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	258
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	257
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	256
Rear brake application uneven	254
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	249
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	247
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	245
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	240
Offside Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	238
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	232
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	230
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	223
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	222
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	222
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	221
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	220
Rear fog lamp switch faulty \|1.3.1a\|	219
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	217
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	215
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	213
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	211
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	208
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	205
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	201
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	200
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	200
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	200
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	197
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	188
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	184
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	184
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	183
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	180
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	179
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	176
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	176
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	176
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	175
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	174
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	174
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	174
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	174
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	168
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	168
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	167
Front brake application uneven	165
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	163
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	163
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	161
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	160
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	158
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	157
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	156
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	156
Front Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	155
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	155
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	153
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	148
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	147
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	147
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	147
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	146
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	145
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	144
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	141
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	141
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	137
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	135
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	135
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	134
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	131
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	128
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	126
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	126
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	126
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	126
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	126
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	125
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	124
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	124
Windscreen washer not working	123
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	123
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	123
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	122
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	122
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	120
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	120
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	120
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	119
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	119
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	117
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	117
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	115
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	115
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	115
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	113
Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	110
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	109
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	107
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	106
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	106
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	106
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	105
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	104
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	104
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	104
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	103
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	102
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	101
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	101
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	101
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	100
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	100
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	100
Brake hose damaged	99
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	99
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking from a joint \|2.3.3b\|	98
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	98
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	96
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	96
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	96
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	95
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	95
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	94
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	94

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 1991

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