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MOT History from tests of petrol BMW M5s year 1994

Review the list of common BMW M5 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your BMW then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:68.37%
(The average a petrol BMW M5 year 1994 passes without issue)
Based on:686 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment67
Brake pipe excessively corroded52
Registration plate lamp issues15
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|14
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively12
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|11
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |7.3.D.3|10
Registration plate issues9
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive |7.3.D.3|8
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|8
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|7
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive |7.3.D.4|7
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|6
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|6
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|6
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort6
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|5
Horn not working |1.6.2a|5
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|4
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|4
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|4
Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|4
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|4
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|4
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|4
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|4
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault |5.4.2|4
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|4
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|4
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|3
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|3
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|3
Centre Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|3
Offside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|3
Emissions not tested |7.0|3
Brakes imbalanced across an axle3
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive |7.3.D.3|3
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|3
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|3
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|3
Offside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|3
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|3
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak2
Windscreen has damage2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|2
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|2
Nearside Rear coil spring cracked |2.4.C.1a|2
Nearside Front coil spring cracked |2.4.C.1a|2
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|2
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|2
Nearside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Rear Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|2
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|2
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|2
Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|2
Nearside Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|2
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|2
Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Nearside Front Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|2
Nearside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|2
Brake hose excessively deteriorated2
Offside Front brake caliper securing device missing (3.5.1j)1
Nearside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)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
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)1
Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion to the extent that overall security or stability of the body is impaired Inner Body Sill Corroded - Loose (6.2.2 (d) (ii))1
Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Offside Rear Sub-frame ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Sub-frame Linkage (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Central Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Rear Radius arm synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|1
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Offside Rear coil spring cracked |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Headlamps matched pair are incorrectly positioned |1.7.3|1
Offside Headlamps matched pair are incorrectly positioned |1.7.3|1
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image too far to the right |1.6.B4|1
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Front Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Emissions not tested |8.2.1.2 |d||1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |6.1.2 |a||1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength within 30cms of rear radius arm mounting point. |5.3.6 |a| |i||1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball pin shank loose |2.2.B.1c|1
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Parking brake recording little or no effort |3.7.D.3a|1
Nearside Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear brake caliper leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Nearside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts |3.6.B.2a|1
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|1
Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Rear Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|1
Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Rear Suspension arm insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Nearside Rear Fluid suspension unit leaking |2.4.D.2|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt both |5.3.4 |b| |ii||1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt both |5.3.4 |b| |ii||1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn front |5.3.4 |a| |i||1
Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)1
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Outer Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Outer Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside 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
Exhaust system not adequately supported bolt missing from front support |7.1.1|1
Rear Fluid suspension unit interconnecting pipe corroded and seriously weakened along side fuel tank |2.4.D.3|1
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill to floor area |5.2.6|1
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Rear rear brake grabbing severely |3.7.A.5b|1
Offside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Nearside Rear Road wheel cracked |4.2.A.1a|1
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|1
Nearside front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|1
Offside front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Passenger`s airbag obviously defective |5.4.1|1
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|1
Nearside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Front brake caliper securing device missing |3.5.1j|1
Offside Front brake caliper securing device missing |3.5.1j|1
Nearside Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|1
Sub-frame has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|1
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front brake caliper locking device missing |3.5.1l|1
Offside Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|1
Offside Front Suspension arm locating pin retaining device missing |2.4.G.3b|1
Steering box insecure |2.2.B.1a|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Stop lamp|s| not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded FLOOR |5.2.6|1
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Floor and sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Floor and sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Centre Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Offside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Centre Front Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Rear Fluid suspension unit leaking |2.4.D.2|1
Direction indicators incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm |2.2.B.1b|1
Front front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|1
Windscreen washer not working 1
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded nearside rear sill to inner wheel arch |2.4.A.3|1
Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator incomplete |1.5.A1b|1
Nearside Front Road wheel cracked |4.2.A.1a|1
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|1
Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front Coil spring not correctly located |2.4.C.2|1
Nearside Front Track rod end loose |2.2.B.1d|1
Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Upper Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.C.3c|1
Offside Rear Upper Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.C.3c|1
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt marked |2.4.G.2|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 Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear arm |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt front arm |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear arm |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill & arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))1
Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))1
Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))1
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturers specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))1
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|1
Offside Outer Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Rear coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Front Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|1
Rear Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|1
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|1
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Brake hose has insufficient room to move1
Offside Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Nearside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Trailing arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Suspension 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 Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Wheel insecure |4.2.A.1c|1
Driver`s airbag obviously defective |5.4.1|1
An item not tested |Manual|1
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1
Front brake application uneven1
Nearside Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|1
Windscreen wiper blade insecure1
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Rear Fluid suspension leaking |2.4.D.2|1
Offside Front brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Front brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Front coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Headlamp aim beam image too far to the right |1.6.B4|1
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Side repeater not working wing |1.4.A.2c|1
Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside both |1.8|1
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Headlamp switch faulty |1.7.1|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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