MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 3-SERIESs year 1992

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:48.44%

(The average a petrol BMW 3-SERIES year 1992 passes without issue)

Based on:76,079 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	11165
Headlamp aim out of alignment	8770
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	5520
Registration plate lamp issues	5063
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	4157
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	3948
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	2196
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2036
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	1948
Registration plate issues	1849
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	1844
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	1693
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	1604
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	1441
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	1441
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	1381
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	1357
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1262
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	1213
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	1155
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1140
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	1092
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	1048
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	940
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	922
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	851
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	848
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	836
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	829
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	810
Rear brake binding	773
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	751
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	721
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	698
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	687
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	674
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	673
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	640
Windscreen has damage	633
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	630
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	610
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	607
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	604
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	594
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	594
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	562
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	560
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	559
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	527
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	514
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	510
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	504
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	503
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	500
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	484
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	481
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	458
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	456
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	455
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	455
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	454
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	447
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	442
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	440
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	439
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	423
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	399
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	399
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	393
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	392
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	390
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	388
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	385
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	385
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	360
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	358
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	352
Offside Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	349
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	348
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	331
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	310
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	305
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	303
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	299
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	295
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	290
Rear brake application uneven	284
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	272
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	269
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	268
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	262
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	248
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	248
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	248
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	246
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	242
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	242
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	242
Brake hose damaged	241
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	235
Front brake application uneven	233
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	232
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	231
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	231
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	231
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	231
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	229
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	225
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	216
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	213
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	212
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	211
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	209
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	208
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	208
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	206
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	204
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	203
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	203
Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	202
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	201
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	200
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	200
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	198
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	198
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	196
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	190
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	188
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	185
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	184
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	184
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	180
Front Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	180
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	180
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	179
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	178
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	177
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	177
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	177
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	175
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	173
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	171
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	171
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	171
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	169
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	168
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	166
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	165
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	164
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	164
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	163
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	162
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	162
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	162
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	162
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	162
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	160
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	160
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	160
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	158
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	158
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	158
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	158
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	156
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	154
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	154
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	154
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	153
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	152
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	146
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	144
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	144
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	144
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	143
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	143
Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	142
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	142
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	141
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	139
Centre Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	138
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	138
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	138
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	137
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	136
Nearside Inner Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	133
Offside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	131
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	131
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` \|8.3.1b\|	131
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	130
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	128
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	128
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	127
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	126
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	125
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	123
Offside Inner Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	122
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	121
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	120
Offside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	119
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	118

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 1992

Find us on Facebook