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MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 6-SERIESs year 1988

Review the list of common BMW 6-SERIES failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your BMW then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:62.66%
(The average a petrol BMW 6-SERIES year 1988 passes without issue)
Based on:2,544 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment339
Brake pipe excessively corroded173
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively106
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|69
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|52
Registration plate lamp issues46
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|45
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|43
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|43
Brake hose excessively deteriorated36
Registration plate issues34
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort32
Battery insecure |1.9.1|32
Brakes imbalanced across an axle30
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|29
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|26
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|24
Nearside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|22
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault20
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|19
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|17
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|17
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|17
Rear brake binding17
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|16
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|15
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|14
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|14
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|14
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|14
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|13
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|12
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|12
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|12
Steering box insecure |2.2.B.1a|12
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|12
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|11
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|11
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|11
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|11
Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|11
Rear Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|11
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|11
Windscreen washer not working 11
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|11
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|11
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|10
Offside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|10
Power steering pipe|s| or hose|s| leaking |2.3.3b|10
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|9
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|9
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|9
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|9
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|9
Offside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|9
Power steering component|s| leaking |2.3.3b|9
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|9
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|9
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|9
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|9
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|9
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|8
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|8
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|8
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|8
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|8
Horn not working |1.6.2a|8
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|8
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|8
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|8
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|7
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|7
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|7
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|7
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|7
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|7
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|7
Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|7
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|7
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|7
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|6
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|6
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|6
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|6
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|6
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))6
Offside Rear Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|6
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|6
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|6
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|6
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|6
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|6
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering box fitted| |2.2.A.1a|6
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|6
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|6
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|6
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|6
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|5
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|5
Centre Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|5
Emissions not tested |7.0|5
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|5
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|5
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|5
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|5
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|5
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|5
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|5
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))5
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|5
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|5
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|5
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|5
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|5
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|5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|5
Offside Rear coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|5
Offside Front coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|4
Bootlid cannot be secured in the closed position |6.4.1|4
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|4
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|4
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure |8.1.1|4
Offside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Front passenger seat insecure |6.2.3|4
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|4
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|4
Nearside Inner Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Nearside Outer Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|4
Offside Outer Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Rear brake application uneven4
Front brake application uneven4
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|4
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|4
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|4
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|4
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|4
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|4
Nearside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|4
Windscreen wiper blade insecure4
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|4
Nearside Front Brake hose leaking |3.6.A.1|4
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Nearside Rear coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|4
Offside Front Brake hose leaking |3.6.A.1|4
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|4
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Nearside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|3
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|3
Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|3
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|3
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))3
Offside Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))3
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|3
Nearside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|3
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))3
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))3
Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|3
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|3
Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|3
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Offside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|3
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not in good working order |function impaired| |1.1.4a|3
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Offside Headlamp aim beam image too far to the right |1.6.B4|3
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|3
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|3
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Centre Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken |5.3.1 |b| |i||3
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|3
Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|3
Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak3
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|3
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|3
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))3
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Offside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|3
Brake hose has insufficient room to move3
Offside Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|3
Nearside Outer Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|3
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate |3.4.1b|3
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel |2.1.2b|3
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|3
Nearside Front Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|3
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|3

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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