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:70.00%

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

Based on:3,800 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	438
Brake pipe excessively corroded	143
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	130
Registration plate issues	70
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	69
Registration plate lamp issues	67
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
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	34
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	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	29
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	27
Windscreen washer not working	23
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	21
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	20
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
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	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
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
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	13
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	13
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	12
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	12
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	12
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	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
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))	10
Windscreen has damage	10
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	10
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	10
Front brake application uneven	10
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	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 Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	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
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	6
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))	6
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	6
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Offside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	6
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	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 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 Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	5
Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))	5
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	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 Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	5
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	5
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	4
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp sequence is incorrect \|3.4.1d\|	4
Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	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
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	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
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault \|7.1.6 \|a\|\|	4
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))	4
Nearside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	4
Horn not working (7.7 (a))	4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	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
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
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))	4
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	4
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	4
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	4
Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault \|3.4.1c\|	4
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))	4
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	4
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	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	438
Brake pipe excessively corroded	143
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	130
Registration plate issues	70
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	69
Registration plate lamp issues	67
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
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	34
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	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	29
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	27
Windscreen washer not working	23
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	21
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	20
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
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	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
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
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	13
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	13
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	12
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	12
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	12
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	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
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))	10
Windscreen has damage	10
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	10
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	10
Front brake application uneven	10
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	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 Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	7
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	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
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	6
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))	6
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	6
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Offside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	6
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Nearside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	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 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 Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	5
Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))	5
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	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 Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	5
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	5
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	4
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp sequence is incorrect \|3.4.1d\|	4
Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	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
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	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
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault \|7.1.6 \|a\|\|	4
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))	4
Nearside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.3.2f\|	4
Horn not working (7.7 (a))	4
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	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
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
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))	4
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	4
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	4
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	4
Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault \|3.4.1c\|	4
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	4
Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))	4
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering box fitted\| \|2.2.A.1a\|	4
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4

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

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