MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 5-SERIESs year 1987

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:56.63%

(The average a petrol BMW 5-SERIES year 1987 passes without issue)

Based on:6,590 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	490
Brake pipe excessively corroded	395
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	345
Registration plate lamp issues	191
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	166
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	159
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	154
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	148
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	143
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	143
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	142
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	137
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	128
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	127
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	118
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	113
Registration plate issues	110
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	106
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	93
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	77
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	73
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	66
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	66
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	65
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	62
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	60
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	57
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	57
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	55
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	54
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	51
Rear brake binding	50
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	46
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	46
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	45
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	45
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	42
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	41
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	40
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	39
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	37
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	37
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	37
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	36
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	36
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	36
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	36
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	33
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	33
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	33
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	33
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	33
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	32
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	31
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	29
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	28
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	28
Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	27
Windscreen has damage	27
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	27
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	27
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	27
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	26
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	25
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	25
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	25
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	25
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	25
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	24
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	24
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	24
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	23
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	23
Front brake application uneven	23
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	23
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	22
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	22
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	22
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	22
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	21
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	21
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	21
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	21
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	21
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	20
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	20
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	20
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	20
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	19
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	19
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	19
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	19
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	19
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	19
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	18
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	18
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	18
Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	18
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	18
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	17
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	17
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	17
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	17
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	17
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	17
Rear brake application uneven	16
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	16
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	16
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	16
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	15
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	15
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	15
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	15
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	15
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	15
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	15
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	15
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\|	15
Windscreen washer not working	14
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	14
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Brake hose damaged	14
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	14
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	14
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\|	14
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	14
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	13
Offside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated and cannot function as intended \|2.4.F.3\|	13
Offside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	13
Nearside Rear Bonded suspension unit deteriorated and cannot function as intended \|2.4.F.3\|	13
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	13
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	13
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	13
Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	13
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	12
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)	12
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	12
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
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\|	12
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	12
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	12
Offside Rear Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	12
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	12
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	11
Offside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	11
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	11
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	11
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	11
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	11
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\|	11
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Nearside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	11
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	11
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
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\|	10
Nearside Rear Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	10
Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	10
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	10
Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	10
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	9
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	9
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	9
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	9
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	9
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	9
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	9
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	9
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	9
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	9
Nearside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	9
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\|	9
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	9
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	9

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 5-SERIESs year 1987

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