MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 5-SERIESs year 1983

Review the list of common BMW 5-SERIES failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your BMW then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:59.22%

(The average a petrol BMW 5-SERIES year 1983 passes without issue)

Based on:1,177 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	107
Brake pipe excessively corroded	84
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	46
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	34
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	29
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	29
Registration plate lamp issues	28
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	24
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	24
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	23
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	21
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	20
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	18
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	18
Registration plate issues	17
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	15
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	14
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	12
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	12
Rear brake binding	11
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	11
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	10
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	9
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	8
Windscreen has damage	8
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	8
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	8
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	8
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	7
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	7
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	6
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	6
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Rear brake application uneven	6
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	5
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	5
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	5
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	5
Front brake application uneven	5
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle \|7.3.A.2b\|	4
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	4
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	4
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	4
Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	4
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	4
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	4
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	4
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	3
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	3
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	3
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	3
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	3
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	3
Centre Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	3
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	3
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	3
Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	3
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	3
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	3
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	3
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	3
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	2
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration \|7.3.A.2c\|	2
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	2
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	2
Offside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	2
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Offside Outer Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Rear Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Front Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.C.3c\|	2
Offside Front Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.C.3c\|	2
Rear Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged \|3.6.B.4d\|	2
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	2
Offside Front Direction indicator insecure \|1.4.A.2b\|	2
Nearside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.2.1d\|	2
Offside Rear Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	2
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Nearside Rear Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened \|3.5.1b\|	2
Offside Rear Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.2.1d\|	2
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Nearside Outer Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	2
Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))	2
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Offside Stop lamp\|s\| not working \|4.3.1 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	2
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Front brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	2
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated \|3.6.G.2\|	2
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	2
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	2
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Inner Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Outer Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Offside Inner Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	2
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	2
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	2
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	2
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	2
Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))	2
Nearside Front Lower Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	2
Offside Front Body or chassis is damaged, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	2
Power steering pump leaking from a failed component \|2.3.3b\|	2
Nearside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Offside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	2
Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Offside Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))	2
Offside Inner Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))	2
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	2
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	2

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 5-SERIESs year 1983

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