MOT History from tests of petrol BMW M3s year 1993

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:60.79%

(The average a petrol BMW M3 year 1993 passes without issue)

Based on:857 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	94
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	93
Headlamp aim out of alignment	72
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	50
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	49
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	30
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	28
Registration plate lamp issues	26
Registration plate issues	23
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	19
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	13
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	12
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	12
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	9
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	8
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	7
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	7
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	7
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	6
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	6
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	6
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Windscreen has damage	5
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Offside Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	5
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp sequence is incorrect \|3.4.1d\|	4
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	4
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	4
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	4
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	4
Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	4
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	4
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	3
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	3
Brake hose damaged	3
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	3
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	3
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	3
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	3
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	3
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	3
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))	3
Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	3
Offside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	3
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Power steering inoperative \|2.3.3a\|	2
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	2
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	2
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.D.1\|	2
Offside Rear Road wheel bead rim badly distorted \|4.2.A.1a\|	2
Offside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	2
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	2
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	2
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement in the upper support bearing assembly \|2.5.B.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	2
Nearside Rear Seat belt not functioning as intended jammed (7.1.2 (c))	2
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))	2
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	2
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking from a seal \|2.3.3b\|	2
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	2
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	2
Offside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	2
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	2
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	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
Brake pipe excessively corroded	94
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	93
Headlamp aim out of alignment	72
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	50
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	49
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	30
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	28
Registration plate lamp issues	26
Registration plate issues	23
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	19
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	13
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	12
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	12
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	9
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	8
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	7
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	7
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	7
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	6
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	6
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	6
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	6
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Windscreen has damage	5
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Offside Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	5
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp sequence is incorrect \|3.4.1d\|	4
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	4
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	4
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	4
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	4
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	4
Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	4
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	4
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	4
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	3
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	3
Brake hose damaged	3
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	3
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	3
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	3
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	3
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	3
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	3
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	3
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))	3
Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	3
Offside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	3
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Power steering inoperative \|2.3.3a\|	2
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	2
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	2
Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	2
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.D.1\|	2
Offside Rear Road wheel bead rim badly distorted \|4.2.A.1a\|	2
Offside Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	2
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	2
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	2
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	2
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement in the upper support bearing assembly \|2.5.B.1b\|	2
Nearside Rear All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	2
Nearside Rear Seat belt not functioning as intended jammed (7.1.2 (c))	2
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Front Inner Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))	2
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	2
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking from a seal \|2.3.3b\|	2
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	2
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	2
Offside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	2
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	2
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	2

MOT History from tests of petrol BMW M3s year 1993

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