MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 8-SERIESs year 1996

Review the list of common BMW 8-SERIES failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your BMW then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:68.83%

(The average a petrol BMW 8-SERIES year 1996 passes without issue)

Based on:3,218 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	229
Brake pipe excessively corroded	146
Registration plate issues	90
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	88
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	66
Registration plate lamp issues	53
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	50
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	41
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	38
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	33
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	31
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	30
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	30
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	24
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	19
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	19
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	18
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	18
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	16
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	15
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	15
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	15
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	14
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))	12
Brake hose damaged	12
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	11
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	11
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	11
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	10
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	9
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	9
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	9
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	8
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	8
Rear brake binding	8
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Windscreen washer not working	8
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))	7
Horn not working (7.7 (a))	7
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	7
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))	7
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	7
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	6
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	6
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Front brake application uneven	6
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\|	6
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	6
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))	6
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	6
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	5
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	5
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	5
Offside Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	5
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	5
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	5
Nearside Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	5
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	5
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	5
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	5
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	5
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	4
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	4
Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	4
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	4
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	4
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	4
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	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
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\|	4
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.5 \|b\| \|i\|\|	4
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	4
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	4
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Front brake excessively fluctuating	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4

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.

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	229
Brake pipe excessively corroded	146
Registration plate issues	90
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	88
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	66
Registration plate lamp issues	53
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	50
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	41
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	38
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	33
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	31
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	30
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	30
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	24
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	19
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	19
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	18
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	18
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	16
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	15
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	15
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	15
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	14
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))	12
Brake hose damaged	12
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	11
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	11
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	11
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	10
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	9
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	9
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	9
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	8
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	8
Rear brake binding	8
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Windscreen washer not working	8
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))	7
Horn not working (7.7 (a))	7
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	7
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))	7
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	7
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	6
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	6
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Front brake application uneven	6
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\|	6
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	6
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))	6
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	6
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	5
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	5
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	5
Offside Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	5
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	5
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	5
Nearside Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	5
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	5
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	5
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	5
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	5
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	5
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	4
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	4
Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	4
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	4
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	4
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	4
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	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
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\|	4
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.5 \|b\| \|i\|\|	4
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	4
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	4
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Front brake excessively fluctuating	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4

MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 8-SERIESs year 1996

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