MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 8-SERIESs year 1997

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:68.60%

(The average a petrol BMW 8-SERIES year 1997 passes without issue)

Based on:5,127 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	422
Brake pipe excessively corroded	211
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	168
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	118
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	110
Registration plate lamp issues	101
Registration plate issues	72
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	60
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	60
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	54
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	52
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	47
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	46
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	46
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	45
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	40
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	36
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	32
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	32
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	31
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	30
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	29
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	27
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	27
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	26
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	25
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	21
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	18
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	18
Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault \|3.4.1c\|	17
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	17
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	17
Windscreen washer not working	17
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	17
Windscreen has damage	15
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	15
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))	15
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	14
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	13
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	13
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	12
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))	12
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	12
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	10
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	10
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	10
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	10
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	9
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|8.2.1.2 \|c\|\|	9
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	9
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	9
Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))	9
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Front brake excessively fluctuating	9
Brake hose damaged	8
Nearside Rear Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	8
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	8
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault \|7.1.6 \|a\|\|	8
Offside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	8
Offside Rear coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	8
Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))	8
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	8
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	8
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	7
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	7
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	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
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	7
Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
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\|	6
Driver`s airbag obviously defective \|5.4.1\|	6
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	6
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	6
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	6
Front brake application uneven	6
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	6
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	6
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	6
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	5
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))	5
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	5
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak	5
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	5
Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	5
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|3.6.B.4c\|	5
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.3\|	5
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	5
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Rear Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	5
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	5
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	5
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5

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	422
Brake pipe excessively corroded	211
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	168
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	118
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	110
Registration plate lamp issues	101
Registration plate issues	72
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	60
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	60
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	54
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	52
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	47
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	46
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	46
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	45
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	40
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	36
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	32
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	32
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	31
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	30
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	29
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	27
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	27
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	26
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	25
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	21
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	18
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	18
Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault \|3.4.1c\|	17
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	17
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	17
Windscreen washer not working	17
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	17
Windscreen has damage	15
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	15
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))	15
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	14
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	13
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	13
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	12
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))	12
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	12
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	10
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	10
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	10
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	10
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	9
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|8.2.1.2 \|c\|\|	9
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	9
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	9
Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))	9
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Front brake excessively fluctuating	9
Brake hose damaged	8
Nearside Rear Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	8
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	8
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault \|7.1.6 \|a\|\|	8
Offside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	8
Offside Rear coil spring cracked \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	8
Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))	8
Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	8
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	8
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	7
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	7
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	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
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	7
Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
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\|	6
Driver`s airbag obviously defective \|5.4.1\|	6
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	6
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	6
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	6
Front brake application uneven	6
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	6
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	6
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	6
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	5
Nearside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))	5
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	5
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak	5
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	5
Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	5
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|3.6.B.4c\|	5
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.3\|	5
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	5
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Rear Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	5
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	5
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	5
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5

MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 8-SERIESs year 1997

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