MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 5-SERIESs year 1985

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:61.42%

(The average a petrol BMW 5-SERIES year 1985 passes without issue)

Based on:3,121 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	215
Brake pipe excessively corroded	178
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	136
Registration plate lamp issues	74
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	74
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	64
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	61
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	60
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	60
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	59
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	57
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	51
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	51
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	51
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	50
Registration plate issues	38
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	38
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	34
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	32
Rear brake binding	30
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	28
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	27
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	27
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	25
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	23
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	23
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	20
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	19
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	19
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	19
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	17
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	16
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	16
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	15
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	15
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	14
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	14
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	14
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	13
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	13
Rear brake application uneven	13
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	12
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	12
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	12
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	12
Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	12
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	12
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	12
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	12
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	12
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	12
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	11
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	10
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	10
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	10
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)	10
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	10
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Windscreen has damage	9
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	9
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	9
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	9
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	8
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	8
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	8
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	8
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	8
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	8
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	8
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	8
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	8
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Windscreen washer not working	8
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	8
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	8
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.2.1d\|	7
Front brake application uneven	7
Offside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.2.1d\|	7
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Battery insecure (1.9.1)	7
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	7
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	7
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	7
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	7
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)	7
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	6
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	6
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	6
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	6
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	6
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)	6
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Nearside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	6
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	6
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	6
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	6
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	6
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	6
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Brake hose damaged	5
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	5
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Nearside Outer Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	5
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	5
Offside Outer Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	5
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	5
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	5
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incomplete \|1.5.A1b\|	5
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	5
Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	5
rear brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	5
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	5
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Rear Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced \|2.4.F.2\|	5
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	4
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Rear Lower Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Inner Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)	4
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	4
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	4
Front Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	4
Nearside Rear Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced \|2.4.F.2\|	4
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	4
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	4
Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4

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 1985

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