MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 8-SERIESs year 1998

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:69.22%

(The average a petrol BMW 8-SERIES year 1998 passes without issue)

Based on:3,522 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	423
Brake pipe excessively corroded	143
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	124
Registration plate lamp issues	67
Registration plate issues	66
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	65
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	54
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	45
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	42
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	34
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	34
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	33
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	32
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	29
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	28
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	27
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	21
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	20
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	18
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	18
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	18
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	16
Windscreen washer not working	16
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	15
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	14
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	13
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	12
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	12
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	12
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	11
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	11
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Windscreen has damage	10
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	10
Front brake application uneven	10
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	10
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	6
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	6
Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))	6
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Offside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	5
Nearside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	5
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	5
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	5
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	5
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Offside Rear Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	5
Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault \|3.4.1c\|	4
Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault \|7.1.6 \|a\|\|	4
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
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\|	4
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\|	4
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	4
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	4
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))	4
Nearside Rear 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 brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp sequence is incorrect \|3.4.1d\|	4
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	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 dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	4
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	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
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	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	423
Brake pipe excessively corroded	143
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	124
Registration plate lamp issues	67
Registration plate issues	66
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	65
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	54
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	45
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	42
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	34
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	34
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	33
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	32
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	29
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	28
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	27
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	21
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	20
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	18
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	18
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	18
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	16
Windscreen washer not working	16
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	15
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	14
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	13
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	12
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	12
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	12
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	11
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	11
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Windscreen has damage	10
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	10
Front brake application uneven	10
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	10
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	6
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	6
Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))	6
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Offside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	5
Nearside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	5
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	5
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	5
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	5
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Offside Rear Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	5
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	5
Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault \|3.4.1c\|	4
Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Nearside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault \|7.1.6 \|a\|\|	4
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
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\|	4
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\|	4
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	4
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	4
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))	4
Nearside Rear 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 brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp sequence is incorrect \|3.4.1d\|	4
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	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 dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	4
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	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
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	4

MOT History from tests of petrol BMW 8-SERIESs year 1998

Find us on Facebook