MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 5-SERIESs year 1988

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:54.47%

(The average a petrol BMW 5-SERIES year 1988 passes without issue)

Based on:8,924 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	824
Headlamp aim out of alignment	740
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	490
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	372
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	292
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	284
Registration plate lamp issues	244
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	232
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	187
Registration plate issues	158
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	149
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	146
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	132
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	121
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	119
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	118
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	114
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	110
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	109
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	107
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	101
Windscreen has damage	97
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	87
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	86
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	83
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	83
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	81
Rear brake binding	80
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	79
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	75
Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	74
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	73
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	72
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	69
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	69
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	68
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	67
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	64
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	61
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	60
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	58
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	56
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	55
Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	55
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	55
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	52
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	52
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	51
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	51
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	51
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	50
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	49
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	49
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	48
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	47
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	47
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	47
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	47
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	44
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	44
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	44
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	44
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	43
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	43
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	43
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	43
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	42
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	42
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	42
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	42
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	41
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	41
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	40
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	40
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	40
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	39
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	38
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	38
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	38
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	37
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	36
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	36
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	36
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	35
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	35
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	35
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	34
Front brake application uneven	34
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	34
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	34
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	34
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	33
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	33
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	32
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	32
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	31
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	30
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	30
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	29
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	28
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	28
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	28
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	27
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	27
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	27
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	27
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	26
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	26
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	25
Rear brake application uneven	24
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	24
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	23
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	23
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	23
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	22
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	22
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	22
Rear Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	22
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	21
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	21
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	21
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\|	21
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	21
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	21
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	21
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	20
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	20
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	20
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	19
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	19
Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	19
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	19
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	19
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Nearside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	19
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	19
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	19
Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	19
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	18
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	18
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	18
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	18
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\|	18
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	18
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	18
Offside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	18
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	17
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	17
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	17
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	17
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	17
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	16
Centre Rear Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	16
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	15
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	15
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	15
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	15
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	15
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	15
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	15
Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	15
Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	15
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	15
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	15
Windscreen washer not working	14
Front Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	14
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	14
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	14
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	14
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	14
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	14
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	14
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	14
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Offside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Offside Rear Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Brake hose damaged	14
Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	13
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	13
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	13
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Offside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	13
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Offside Outer Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	13
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	13
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	13
Nearside Rear Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced \|2.4.F.2\|	13
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	13
Nearside Rear Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Offside Rear Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced \|2.4.F.2\|	13
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	13
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	13

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 1988

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