MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 5-SERIESs year 1986

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:58.44%

(The average a petrol BMW 5-SERIES year 1986 passes without issue)

Based on:4,666 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	310
Brake pipe excessively corroded	302
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	224
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	105
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	104
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	101
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	99
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	91
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	89
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	77
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	76
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	73
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	73
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	70
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	68
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	63
Registration plate lamp issues	62
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	62
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	62
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	55
Rear brake binding	54
Registration plate issues	51
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	46
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	43
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	40
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	38
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	38
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	37
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	36
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	33
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	30
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	28
Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	26
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	25
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	25
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	25
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	25
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	23
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	23
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	23
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	22
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	22
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	22
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	21
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	21
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	21
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	20
Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	20
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	20
Front brake application uneven	20
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	20
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	20
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	19
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	19
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	18
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	17
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	17
Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	17
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	16
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	16
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	16
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	16
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	16
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	16
Rear brake application uneven	15
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	15
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	15
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	15
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	14
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Windscreen has damage	13
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	13
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	13
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	13
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	13
Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	12
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	12
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	12
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	12
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	11
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	11
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	11
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Windscreen washer not working	11
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	11
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	11
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\|	11
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	10
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	10
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	10
Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	10
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Rear Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	10
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	10
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\|	10
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	10
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	10
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\|	10
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	9
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	9
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	9
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	9
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Nearside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	9
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	8
Nearside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.2.1d\|	8
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	8
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	8
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	8
Nearside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	8
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Offside Front Shock absorber casing corroded externally so the unit does not function \|2.7.2a\|	8
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)	8
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	8
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	8
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	8
Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	8
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	8
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)	7
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	7
Brake hose damaged	7
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	7
Nearside Inner Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	7
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	7
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	7
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside Rear Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced \|2.4.F.2\|	7
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking from a joint \|2.3.3b\|	7
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Front Shock absorber casing corroded externally so the unit does not function \|2.7.2a\|	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
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	7
Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	7
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	7
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)	6
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Outer Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	6
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Steering box insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	6
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	6
Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	6
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	6
Offside Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	6
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\|	6

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 1986

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