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MOT History from tests of petrol BMW M3s year 1988

Review the list of common BMW M3 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your BMW then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:78.60%
(The average a petrol BMW M3 year 1988 passes without issue)
Based on:1,117 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment69
Brake pipe excessively corroded39
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|27
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively19
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault15
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|12
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|12
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|12
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|11
Registration plate issues11
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|11
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|10
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|8
Rear brake binding8
Horn not working |1.6.2a|8
Brake hose excessively deteriorated7
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|7
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|6
Registration plate lamp issues6
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|5
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Emissions not tested |7.0|5
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|5
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|4
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|4
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort4
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|4
Brakes imbalanced across an axle4
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|3
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|3
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|3
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|3
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|3
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure |2.4.G.1|3
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|3
Offside Side repeater missing |1.4.A.2b|3
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|2
Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|2
Nearside Front Side repeater missing |1.4.A.2b|2
Offside Front Side repeater missing |1.4.A.2b|2
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6.B1|2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6.B1|2
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` |8.3.1b|2
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|2
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Windscreen has damage2
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|2
Rear brake application uneven2
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement2
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|2
Nearside Side repeater missing |1.4.A.2b|2
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|2
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|2
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|2
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|2
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|2
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Offside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|2
Brake pipe leaking on an air braking system front to rear |1.1.11 |b| |i||1
Brake performance not tested |1.2.1 |g||1
Battery insecure |1.9.1|1
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |6.1.2 |a||1
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecurely attached |5.3.3 |a| |i||1
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Lower Front suspension locking device missing |2.5.A.4|1
Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))1
Horn control missing |1.6.1|1
Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated |3.6.G.2|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt inner chassis joint (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|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 Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|1
Centre Rear Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|1
Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting cracked |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Body insecure and dangerous to other road users |6.1.B.1b|1
Offside Front Lower Body insecure and dangerous to other road users |6.1.B.1b|1
Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt both front |5.3.4 |b| |ii||1
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|1
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Nearside Inner Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Inner Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Inner Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Rear Brake pipe excessively damaged |3.6.B.2c|1
Rear position lamp|s| obscured more than 50% |1.1.A.3c|1
Nearside Rear Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|1
Offside Rear Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|1
Offside Front Passenger`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|1
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|1
Offside Indicator switch faulty |1.4.A.1|1
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)1
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Rear Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|1
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure is damaged, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Upper Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Front Horn not working |1.6.2a|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|1
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Front Lower Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Outer Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Outer Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp sequence is incorrect |3.4.1d|1
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Rear Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|1
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Rear Passenger`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Nearside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|1
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken |5.3.1 |b| |i||1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Nearside Side repeater incomplete |1.5.A1b|1
Nearside Front Lower 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 Anti-roll bar linkage insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Rear Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|1
Offside Rear Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|1
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate |3.4.1b|1
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Nearside Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|1
Offside Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|1
Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|1
Nearside Rear brake caliper securing device missing |3.5.1j|1
Front Wheel insecure |4.2.A.1c|1
Side repeater missing |1.4.A.2b|1
Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside both |1.8|1
Offside Front Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|1
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|1
Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|1
Nearside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Nearside Rear Fuel system component insecure |7.2.1|1
Nearside Front brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened1
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|1
Nearside Front Steering system has a road wheel fouling a part of the vehicle |2.2.D.2a|1
Offside 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
Front brake application uneven1
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|1
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|1
Fuel pipe leaking excessively or a risk of fire Rear of engine area (6.1.3 (b) (ii))1
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Nearside Rear Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|1
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded floor |5.2.6|1
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded floor |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Front position lamp|s| not working both |1.1.A.3b|1
Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|1
Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Front Brake hose twisted |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|1
Offside Front Macpherson strut insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|1
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush |2.7.4|1
Nearside Rear brake caliper securing device loose |3.5.1j|1
brake caliper securing device missing |3.5.1j|1
Nearside Front brake caliper securing device loose |3.5.1j|1
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.3 |a||1
Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.3 |a||1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|1
Nearside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside 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|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
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position |8.4.1|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Nearside Front Brake hose excessively twisted (1.1.12 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Fuel cap/sealing device missing |7.2.4a|1
Nearside Front Brake pipe leaking under bonnet |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired |5.2.6|1
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired |5.2.6|1
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired |5.2.6|1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside Brake cable has restricted free movement outer sheath broken |3.5.1k|1
Nearside Front position lamp|s| has a product on the light source so it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded rear of inner wing |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner and outer sill |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner and outer sill |2.4.A.3|1
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported u clip missing....u clip corroded/weak |7.1.1|1
Offside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|1
Fuel tank leaking |7.2.3|1
Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play |2.1.5|1
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not in good working order |function impaired| |1.1.4a|1
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Power steering component|s| leaking |2.3.3b|1
Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Power steering pipe|s| or hose|s| leaking |2.3.3b|1
Steering rack insecure |2.2.B.1a|1
Parking brake lever insecure |3.1.3b|1
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage loose |7.1.1 |b||1
Offside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Front Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|1
Offside Front Seat belt affected by an insecure seat fixing |5.2.1b|1
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))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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