MOT History from tests of petrol BMW M3s year 1995

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:62.33%

(The average a petrol BMW M3 year 1995 passes without issue)

Based on:7,388 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	832
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	596
Headlamp aim out of alignment	547
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive \|7.3.D.4\|	345
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	273
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits \|7.3.D.3\|	246
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive \|7.3.D.3\|	202
Registration plate issues	196
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	154
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	152
Registration plate lamp issues	135
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	101
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	95
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	69
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	67
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	64
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	60
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	58
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	56
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	56
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	53
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	52
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	52
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	50
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	50
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	50
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	49
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	45
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	44
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	42
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	41
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	41
Windscreen has damage	40
Rear brake binding	38
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	35
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	32
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	30
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	30
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	30
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	29
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	29
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	28
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	27
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	26
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	26
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	26
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	26
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	24
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	23
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))	23
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	23
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	23
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	22
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\|	22
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	22
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	22
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	21
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	21
Centre Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	20
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\|	20
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	20
Nearside 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\|	19
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	19
Front brake application uneven	19
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	19
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	19
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	18
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))	18
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	18
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	17
Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	17
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\|	17
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	17
Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	16
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	16
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	16
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	16
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	16
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	15
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	15
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	15
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	15
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	15
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is excessively worn \|3.1.5\|	15
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	14
Power steering component\|s\| leaking \|2.3.3b\|	14
Rear brake application uneven	14
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	14
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	14
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	14
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Brake hose damaged	14
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	14
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	14
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	13
Power steering pipe\|s\| or hose\|s\| leaking from a joint \|2.3.3b\|	13
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	13
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	13
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	13
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	12
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	12
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	12
Offside Inner Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	12
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	12
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	12
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	11
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	11
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	11
Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	11
Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	11
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Offside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	11
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	11
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	11
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	11
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	11
Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))	11
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	11
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.D.1\|	10
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\|	10
Windscreen washer not working	10
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	10
Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	10
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	10
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	10
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	10
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	10
An item not tested \|Manual\|	10
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	10
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	10
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	10
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	9
Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9
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\|	9
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	9
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	9
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	9
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Offside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	9
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	9
Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	9

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.

MOT History from tests of petrol BMW M3s year 1995

Find us on Facebook