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MOT History from tests of diesel BMW BMWs year 2003

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

mot history
Pass percent:69.35%
(The average a diesel BMW BMW year 2003 passes without issue)
Based on:1,018 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Registration plate lamp issues79
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|47
Headlamp aim out of alignment36
Brake pipe excessively corroded34
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort25
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively24
Registration plate issues16
Brake hose excessively deteriorated15
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine |7.4.B.3b|8
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|8
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|7
Windscreen has damage7
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|7
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|7
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|7
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault |5.4.2|7
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|7
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|6
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|6
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|6
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|6
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|6
Brakes imbalanced across an axle6
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|5
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|5
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|5
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|4
Offside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|4
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|4
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|4
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))4
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|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 ball joint |2.4.G.2|4
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|3
Rear brake binding3
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour |7.4.B.4|3
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn |5.3.4 |a| |i||3
Nearside Rear Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|3
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|3
Offside Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|3
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Rear coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|3
Offside Front Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|3
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|2
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|2
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value |1.4.2 |a| |ii||2
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|2
Offside Rear coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|2
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|2
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))2
Windscreen washer not working 2
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|2
Nearside Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|2
Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side |1.4.1 |a||2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn |5.3.4 |a| |i||2
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))2
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|2
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure |2.4.G.1|2
Nearside Front Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|2
Offside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|2
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|2
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Offside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive play in a track control arm inner bush rear |2.5.B.2b|2
Offside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive movement at a suspension ball joint |2.5.A.1c|2
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|2
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|2
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|2
Windscreen wiper blade insecure2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Rear Lower Trailing arm severely distorted |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Headlamp cleaning device inoperative |1.7.2|1
Centre Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|1
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Rear Rear fog lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.3.2d|1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Brake performance not tested |1.2.1 |g||1
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel |1.1.2 |a||1
Nearside Rear Brake hose leaking on a hydraulic braking system |1.1.12 |c| |ii||1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.1.3 |b| |i||1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Power steering component leaking |2.1.5 |a||1
Nearside Rear Road wheel more than one fixing loose |5.2.1 |a| |ii||1
Centre Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Centre Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Offside Rear Body has a projection caused by damage |6.1.C.1|1
Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault |7.12 |e||1
Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side |1.4.1 |a||1
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Nearside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated |5.1.3 |b| |i||1
Nearside Front Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Front Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Rear Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Nearside Front Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|1
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.D.4|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Rear Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|1
Nearside Rear Brake pipe leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage fractured |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases center pipe broken at previous repairs (6.1.2 (a))1
Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))1
Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|1
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated |3.1.3c|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Parking brake lever ratchet not holding correctly (1.1.6 (a))1
Fuel system component insecure |7.2.1|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))1
Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))1
Emissions not tested engine condition suspect/strong smell of fuel requiring investigation (8.2.2.2 (e))1
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is excessively worn |3.1.5|1
Nearside 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|1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel |1.1.2 |a||1
Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side |1.4.1 |a||1
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |4.4.3 |b||1
Nearside Rear Outer Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage fractured broken |5.3.3 |b| |ii||1
Nearside Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Wheel nut|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Nearside Rear Wheel nut|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only |3.1.2|1
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault |7.1.6 |a||1
Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |6.1.2 |a||1
Central Exhaust system insecure |6.1.2 |a||1
Offside Front Power steering component leaking rack ram / pipe area (2.1.5 (a))1
Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))1
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))1
Offside rear brake grabbing severely |3.7.A.5b|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|1
Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Brake hose twisted |3.6.B.4c|1
Offside Front coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Front Inner Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint bothsides |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|1
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.6.2b|1
Rear Brake lining|s| less than 1.5 mm thick |3.5.1g|1
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken |5.3.1 |b| |i||1
Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken |5.3.1 |b| |i||1
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn both |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Offside Front brake disc insecure |3.5.1i|1
Front brake application uneven1
Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|1
Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|1
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Electronic stability system switch insecure |3.4.5|1
Nearside Front Tie bar/rod insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar missing |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))1
Tailgate cannot be secured in the closed position |6.4.1|1
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Front front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|1
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||1
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
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|1
Nearside Parking brake recording little or no effort |3.7.D.3a|1
Offside Front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage missing |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush |2.5.A.1c|1
Offside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Rear Floor excessively deteriorated (6.2.4 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner wheel arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak1
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|1
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm severely distorted |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Rear coil spring cracked |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Rear coil spring cracked |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` |8.3.1b|1
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Vehicle structure has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Battery insecure |1.9.1|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front Wheel nut|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Nearside Rear Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.3|1
Offside Rear Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.3|1
rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Brake pipe kinked |3.6.B.2b|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Fluid suspension unit leaking |2.4.D.2|1
Front Anti-roll bar synthetic mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Track rod end loose |2.2.B.1d|1
Electronic stability system warning lamp indicates a fault |3.4.1c|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint outer joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Road wheel distorted |4.2.A.1a|1
Centre Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases front flexi |7.1.2|1
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Rear Gas suspension unit leaking |2.4.D.2|1
Nearside Rear Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|1
Front Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Rear Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage loose (7.1.1 (b))1
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill/jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill/ jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))1
Nearside All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1

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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