MOT History from tests of petrol 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:74.69%

(The average a petrol BMW BMW year 2003 passes without issue)

Based on:1,442 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	83
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	37
Registration plate lamp issues	36
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	30
Brake pipe excessively corroded	23
Registration plate issues	20
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	19
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	13
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	10
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	9
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	8
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	8
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	8
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	7
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	6
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	6
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	6
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	6
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Windscreen has damage	6
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	5
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	5
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	4
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm 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 Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	4
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
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\|	4
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	3
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	3
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	3
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	3
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	3
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))	2
Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	2
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	2
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	2
Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	2
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	2
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Front brake application uneven	2
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	2
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.D.1\|	2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	2
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	2
Offside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Nearside Rear brake caliper securing device missing \|3.5.1j\|	2
Offside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	2
Offside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	2
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	2
Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	2
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	2
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	2

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	83
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	37
Registration plate lamp issues	36
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	30
Brake pipe excessively corroded	23
Registration plate issues	20
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	19
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	13
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	10
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	9
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	8
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	8
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	8
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	8
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	7
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	6
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	6
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	6
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	6
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Windscreen has damage	6
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	5
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	5
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	4
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm 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 Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	4
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
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\|	4
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	3
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	3
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	3
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	3
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	3
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))	2
Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	2
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	2
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	2
Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	2
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	2
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Front brake application uneven	2
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	2
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.D.1\|	2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	2
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated \|7.2.4c\|	2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	2
Offside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Nearside Rear brake caliper securing device missing \|3.5.1j\|	2
Offside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	2
Offside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	2
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	2
Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))	2
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.6\|	2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	2
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	2

MOT History from tests of petrol BMW BMWs year 2003

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