MOT History from tests of diesel BMW 5-SERIESs year 1997

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:53.68%

(The average a diesel BMW 5-SERIES year 1997 passes without issue)

Based on:6,442 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	1196
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	722
Brake pipe excessively corroded	649
Headlamp aim out of alignment	496
Registration plate lamp issues	319
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	248
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	205
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	126
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	120
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	117
Registration plate issues	117
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	105
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	102
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	100
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	91
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	81
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	76
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	67
Centre Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	66
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	65
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	53
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	53
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	52
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	52
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	50
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	49
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	47
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	47
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	46
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	43
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	43
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	41
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	40
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	38
Rear brake binding	36
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	36
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\|	35
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	35
Windscreen has damage	34
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	33
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	32
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	32
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	32
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\|	31
Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	31
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	31
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	31
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	30
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	30
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	30
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	29
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	28
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\|	28
Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	28
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\|	28
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	28
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	27
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	27
Front Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	25
Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	25
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	25
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	25
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	25
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	24
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	23
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	22
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	22
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	21
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	21
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	20
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	20
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	19
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	19
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	19
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	19
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	18
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	18
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	17
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	17
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	17
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	16
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	16
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	16
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	16
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	16
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	16
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\|	16
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	16
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	15
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	15
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	15
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	15
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	14
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Brake hose damaged	14
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	14
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	14
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
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\|	14
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	13
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	13
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Centre Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	13
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Front brake application uneven	13
Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	13
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Rear brake application uneven	13
Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	12
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	12
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	12
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	12
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	12
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	11
Nearside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated \|3.6.G.2\|	11
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	11
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	11
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	11
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	11
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	11
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	11
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))	10
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored \|3.5.1h\|	10
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	10
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	10
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	10
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	10
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	10
Nearside Front Upper 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 Front Upper 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
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	9
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	9
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	9
Nearside Inner Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	9
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	9
Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	9
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	9
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Nearside Rear coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	9
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	9
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	9
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	9
An item not tested \|Manual\|	9
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	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.

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MOT History from tests of diesel BMW 5-SERIESs year 1997

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