MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 5-SERIESs year 1989

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:54.95%

(The average a petrol BMW 5-SERIES year 1989 passes without issue)

Based on:16,423 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	1701
Headlamp aim out of alignment	1305
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	931
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	754
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	494
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	484
Registration plate lamp issues	414
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	395
Registration plate issues	311
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	265
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	251
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	237
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	223
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	215
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	203
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	199
Windscreen has damage	180
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	175
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	160
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	160
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	157
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	153
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	147
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	142
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	140
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	131
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	130
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	127
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	123
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	120
Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	118
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	118
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	116
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	115
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	113
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	109
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	108
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	107
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	104
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	103
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	102
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	99
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	98
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	96
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	95
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	95
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	94
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	93
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	92
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	91
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	90
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	90
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	89
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	89
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	89
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	88
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	87
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	87
Rear brake binding	86
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	85
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	82
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	82
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	81
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	80
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	78
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	78
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	78
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	78
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	77
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	77
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	77
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	77
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm \|2.2.B.1b\|	75
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	75
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	68
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	68
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	67
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	66
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	65
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	65
Rear Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	65
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	65
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	64
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	64
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	64
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	63
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	61
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	60
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	60
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	56
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	55
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	53
Nearside Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	53
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	49
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	49
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	48
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	48
Front brake application uneven	48
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	47
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	47
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	47
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	47
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	47
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	46
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	46
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	45
Centre Rear Statutory seat belt missing \|5.1.1\|	43
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	38
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	38
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	38
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	38
Nearside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1c\|	37
Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	37
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	36
Front Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	35
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	35
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	34
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	34
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	34
Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	33
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	33
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	33
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	32
Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	32
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	32
An item not tested \|Manual\|	31
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	31
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	31
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	31
Offside Rear Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	31
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	31
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	30
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	30
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	30
Nearside Rear Sub-frame attachment rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	30
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	29
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\|	29
Nearside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	29
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	29
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	29
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	29
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	28
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	28
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	28
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	28
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	27
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	27
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	27
Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	27
Rear brake application uneven	27
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	26
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	26
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	26
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	26
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	26
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	26
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	25
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	25
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	25
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	25
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	25
Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	25
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	24
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	24
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	24
Nearside Front Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	24
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	24
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	24
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\|	23
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	23
Power steering malfunctioning \|2.3.3a\|	23
Nearside Rear Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.C.3c\|	23
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	23
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	23
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	23
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	23

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 1989

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