MOT Results

Honest John Classics MOT Results » BMW » 3-Series
Selling your classic car? It's FREE to list your car on Honest John Classics | No thanks

BMW 3-Series MOT Results

73.9% pass rate
from 4,354 tests in 2021
Number of tests by age
More MoT Results
Failure rates by item

Here you can drill down into the failure rates for each item on the test. We've also compared the rates to the average results for pre-1990 cars and highlighted areas where the BMW 3-Series is unusually good or bad.

  • 12% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
    • 4.2% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 4.0% fail on Headlamp aim (21% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.11% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 3.0% fail on Direction indicators
      • 3.0% fail on Flashing type
        • 2.0% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 0.99% fail on Side repeaters
        • 0.18% fail on All direction indicators (66% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.8% fail on Headlamps
      • 2.3% fail on Headlamp
      • 0.48% fail on Headlamp levelling device (9 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.046% fail on Dipswitch
    • 2.1% fail on Stop lamp
    • 2.0% fail on Front and rear fog lamps
      • 2.0% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 2.0% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 0.046% fail on Switch
    • 1.9% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 0.92% fail on Battery(ies) (57% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.87% fail on Horn
      • 0.11% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 0.41% fail on Registration plate lamp(s) (67% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.30% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.28% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
      • 0.023% fail on Main beam tell-tale
    • 0.069% fail on Position lamps
      • 0.046% fail on Position lamp
      • 0.023% fail on Switch
    • 0.069% fail on Hazard warning
      • 0.069% fail on Switch
    • 0.023% fail on Rear reflectors
  • 8.5% fail on Suspension (16% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.4% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 3.3% fail on Suspension arms (84% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.7% fail on Ball joint (190% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Pins and bushes (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.80% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.11% fail on Suspension arm
    • 1.4% fail on Anti-roll bars (150% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.73% fail on Linkage pins and bushes (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.16% fail on Linkage (180% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.14% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover
      • 0.11% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.069% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.069% fail on Linkage ball joints
      • 0.069% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.046% fail on Anti-roll bar
      • 0.023% fail on Linkage attachment bracket and mounting
    • 0.71% fail on Sub-frames (68% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.39% fail on Pins and bushes (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.30% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas
      • 0.046% fail on Sub-frame
    • 0.64% fail on Springs
      • 0.57% fail on Coil springs
        • 0.53% fail on Coil spring
        • 0.046% fail on Mounting
      • 0.069% fail on Spring mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.60% fail on Wheel bearings (57% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.53% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.18% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.069% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.046% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.046% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.023% fail on Ball joint dust cover
    • 0.11% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.069% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.023% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.023% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 0.092% fail on Axles (74% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.069% fail on Swivel pins and bushes
      • 0.023% fail on Axle
    • 0.023% fail on Suspension rods
      • 0.023% fail on Pins and bushes
  • 7.4% fail on Brakes (17% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.9% fail on Brake performance (28% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.0% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp) (26% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.0% fail on Rbt (sp)
        • 0.069% fail on Decelerometer (sp)
      • 2.0% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (33% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.0% fail on Rbt (sp) (30% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 1.2% fail on Service brake performance
          • 1.1% fail on Service brake imbalance (45% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.5% fail on Service brake performance (49% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.5% fail on Rbt (48% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 1.3% fail on Service brake performance (47% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.37% fail on Service brake imbalance (48% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.71% fail on Parking brake performance
        • 0.64% fail on Rbt
          • 0.55% fail on Parking brake performance
          • 0.092% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
        • 0.046% fail on Plate brake tester
          • 0.023% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
          • 0.023% fail on Parking brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles)
        • 0.023% fail on Decelerometer
          • 0.023% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
      • 0.32% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 1.8% fail on Rigid brake pipes (64% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.67% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 0.44% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 0.39% fail on Brake pads
        • 0.046% fail on Brake linings
      • 0.23% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.18% fail on Brake discs
        • 0.046% fail on Brake drums
      • 0.046% fail on Brake cables, rods, levers and linkages
        • 0.023% fail on Cable
        • 0.023% fail on Pivot
    • 0.62% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.32% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.23% fail on Pedal
      • 0.092% fail on Hand lever
    • 0.30% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.11% fail on Brake fluid
      • 0.092% fail on Master cylinder
      • 0.092% fail on Reservoirs
    • 0.25% fail on ABS / EBS / ESC
      • 0.25% fail on Anti-lock braking system
    • 0.14% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders)
      • 0.092% fail on Hydraulic brake cylinder
      • 0.046% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers
    • 0.11% fail on Parking brake control
      • 0.11% fail on Lever
    • 0.11% fail on Other components and prescribed areas
      • 0.11% fail on Prescribed areas
        • 0.069% fail on Other braking system component
        • 0.046% fail on Master cylinder/servo mounting
  • 6.4% fail on Visibility
    • 4.8% fail on Washers
    • 1.9% fail on Wipers
    • 0.092% fail on View to rear
      • 0.069% fail on Mirrors
      • 0.023% fail on Indirect vision devices
    • 0.046% fail on Bonnet
  • 5.1% fail on Body, chassis, structure (19% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.6% fail on Exhaust system
    • 1.0% fail on Chassis
      • 1.0% fail on Chassis condition
    • 0.94% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 0.90% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
      • 0.046% fail on Sub-frame
        • 0.046% fail on Sub-frame condition
    • 0.80% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.30% fail on Pipe
      • 0.21% fail on Hose
      • 0.18% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device
      • 0.14% fail on Tank
      • 0.023% fail on System
    • 0.39% fail on Seats
      • 0.39% fail on Driver's seat
      • 0.023% fail on Passenger's seat
    • 0.32% fail on Transmission (76% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.23% fail on Drive shafts (78% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.21% fail on Joints (80% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.023% fail on Drive shaft
      • 0.092% fail on Prop shafts (69% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.046% fail on Prop shaft
        • 0.046% fail on Flexible couplings
    • 0.28% fail on Doors
      • 0.16% fail on Front passenger's door
        • 0.16% fail on Door condition
      • 0.14% fail on Other passenger's door
        • 0.11% fail on Door condition
        • 0.023% fail on Catch
    • 0.23% fail on Floor
    • 0.21% fail on Body
      • 0.11% fail on Panel
      • 0.092% fail on Other body component
      • 0.023% fail on Body condition
    • 0.069% fail on Bumpers
    • 0.069% fail on Cabs
      • 0.069% fail on Prescribed areas
    • 0.023% fail on Engine mounting
      • 0.023% fail on Engine mounting condition
    • 0.023% fail on Boot lid
      • 0.023% fail on Other boot lid component
  • 3.8% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks
    • 3.5% fail on Exhaust emissions
      • 3.4% fail on Spark ignition
        • 2.3% fail on Non catalyst emissions (24% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.57% fail on Catalyst emissions (98% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.53% fail on Emissions not tested
        • 0.023% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp
      • 0.092% fail on Compression ignition
        • 0.046% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Non turbo
        • 0.023% fail on On or after 01/07/2008
        • 0.023% fail on Emissions not tested
    • 0.37% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.21% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.16% fail on Other leaks
      • 0.023% fail on Hydraulic fluid leaks
  • 2.2% fail on Steering (38% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.92% fail on Steering gear
      • 0.83% fail on Steering rack
      • 0.092% fail on Operation
    • 0.71% fail on Steering linkage components (62% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.55% fail on Track rod end (53% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.092% fail on Ball joint (70% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.069% fail on Locking devices
      • 0.023% fail on Steering arm
    • 0.62% fail on Power steering (84% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.25% fail on Pipes and hoses (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.16% fail on Operation
      • 0.16% fail on Other components
      • 0.092% fail on Rams (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.069% fail on Steering wheel
    • 0.069% fail on Steering play
      • 0.069% fail on Steering rack
    • 0.046% fail on Steering coupling
      • 0.023% fail on Flexible coupling
      • 0.023% fail on Universal joint
    • 0.023% fail on Prescribed areas
  • 1.8% fail on Tyres (42% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.1% fail on Condition (54% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.71% fail on Tread depth
    • 0.069% fail on Size/type
  • 1.7% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems
    • 1.7% fail on Seat belts
      • 1.3% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 0.44% fail on Condition
      • 0.069% fail on Attachment
  • 0.41% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.41% fail on Registration plates
  • 0.28% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.23% fail on Attachment
    • 0.046% fail on Condition
  • 0.092% fail on Speedometer and speed limiter
    • 0.069% fail on Speedometer
    • 0.023% fail on Speed limiter
      • 0.023% fail on Speed limiter plate
Read the Honest John Review