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

72.0% pass rate
from 4,141 tests in 2020
(4.0% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
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.

  • 14% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (6.7% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.9% fail on Headlamp aim (44% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 4.7% fail on Headlamp aim (49% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.22% fail on Headlamp aim not tested (13% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.3% fail on Headlamps (14% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.0% fail on Headlamp (9.1% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.19% fail on Headlamp levelling device (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Dipswitch (52% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.024% fail on Matched pair
    • 3.1% fail on Direction indicators (18% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.1% fail on Flashing type (18% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.1% fail on Individual direction indicators (37% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.70% fail on Side repeaters (4.5% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.43% fail on All direction indicators (15% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.6% fail on Electrical equipment (17% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.5% fail on Battery(ies) (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.2% fail on Horn (22% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Electrical wiring (60% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.2% fail on Front and rear fog lamps (10% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.2% fail on Rear fog lamp (10% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.0% fail on Rear fog lamp (16% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.31% fail on Switch (39% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.2% fail on Stop lamp (15% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.65% fail on Registration plate lamp(s) (50% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.46% fail on Mandatory tell-tales (27% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.39% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale (47% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.072% fail on Main beam tell-tale (37% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.17% fail on Position lamps (13% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Position lamp (12% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.024% fail on Hazard warning
      • 0.024% fail on Switch
  • 10.0% fail on Suspension (28% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.9% fail on Suspension arms (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.8% fail on Ball joint (190% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.7% fail on Pins and bushes (190% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.65% fail on Ball joint dust cover (15% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.072% fail on Suspension arm (43% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.024% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 3.8% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas (31% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.7% fail on Anti-roll bars (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.92% fail on Linkage pins and bushes (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.24% fail on Pins and bushes (87% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.19% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting (72% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover (150% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Linkage (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Ball joint (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Linkage ball joints (6.2% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.92% fail on Shock absorbers (44% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.82% fail on Sub-frames (100% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.43% fail on Pins and bushes (6 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas (42% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.072% fail on Sub-frame (15% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.70% fail on Wheel bearings (50% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.63% fail on Springs (8.0% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.48% fail on Coil springs (32% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.46% fail on Coil spring (43% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.024% fail on Mounting
      • 0.14% fail on Spring mounting prescribed areas (17% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.14% fail on Axles (59% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.097% fail on Swivel pins and bushes (41% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.024% fail on Axle
      • 0.024% fail on Stub axle
    • 0.12% fail on Macpherson strut (45% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Macpherson strut (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.12% fail on Other suspension component (70% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.072% fail on Pins and bushes (29% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Ball joint (67% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.024% fail on Suspension rods
      • 0.024% fail on Ball joint
  • 8.0% fail on Brakes (13% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 5.2% fail on Brake performance (25% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.1% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp) (26% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.1% fail on Rbt (sp) (20% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.024% fail on Decelerometer (sp)
      • 2.0% fail on Service brake performance (35% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.0% fail on Rbt (33% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 1.7% fail on Service brake performance (30% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.36% fail on Service brake imbalance (49% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.024% fail on Plate brake tester
          • 0.024% fail on Service brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles)
      • 2.0% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (36% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.9% fail on Rbt (sp) (34% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 1.3% fail on Service brake imbalance (37% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.72% fail on Service brake performance (42% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.024% fail on Plate brake tester (sp)
          • 0.024% fail on Service brake performance
      • 1.1% fail on Parking brake performance (6.6% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.0% fail on Rbt (7.8% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.92% fail on Parking brake performance (14% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.14% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance) (52% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.024% fail on Decelerometer
          • 0.024% fail on Parking brake performance
        • 0.024% fail on Plate brake tester
          • 0.024% fail on Parking brake performance
      • 0.27% fail on Brake performance not tested (22% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.0% fail on Rigid brake pipes (74% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.80% fail on Mechanical brake components (14% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.41% fail on Brake linings and pads (4.5% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.41% fail on Brake pads (0.44% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Brake discs and drums (13% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.31% fail on Brake discs (1.5% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.024% fail on Brake drums
      • 0.14% fail on Brake cables, rods, levers and linkages (19% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.14% fail on Cable (30% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.58% fail on Flexible brake hoses (50% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.41% fail on ABS / EBS / ESC (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.39% fail on Anti-lock braking system (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.024% fail on Electronic braking system
    • 0.31% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders) (2.7% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.27% fail on Hydraulic brake cylinder (55% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers (64% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.24% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever (56% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Pedal (64% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.097% fail on Hand lever (36% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.19% fail on Hydraulic systems (26% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.19% fail on Brake fluid (60% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.14% fail on Parking brake control (57% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Lever (57% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.12% fail on Other components and prescribed areas (43% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.072% fail on Prescribed areas (60% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.072% fail on Other braking system component (76% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Other components (62% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.048% fail on Air and vacuum systems (21% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Servos (0.077% better than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 6.9% fail on Visibility (11% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.4% fail on Washers (4.3% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.8% fail on Wipers (16% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.19% fail on View to rear (11% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.19% fail on Mirrors (12% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.14% fail on Driver's view (100% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.072% fail on Bonnet (48% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.048% fail on Condition of glass (1.4% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Windscreen (6.2% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 5.9% fail on Body, chassis, structure (11% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.3% fail on Exhaust system (15% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.0% fail on Integral vehicle structure (0.29% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.0% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition (0.98% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.024% fail on Strengthening plate
    • 0.80% fail on Chassis (20% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.80% fail on Chassis condition (19% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.70% fail on Fuel system (8.2% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.19% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device (5.0% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Tank (55% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Hose (23% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Pipe (39% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.024% fail on System
    • 0.53% fail on Transmission (60% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.31% fail on Drive shafts (69% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.31% fail on Joints (68% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.22% fail on Prop shafts (26% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.12% fail on Flexible couplings (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.097% fail on Prop shaft (13% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.46% fail on Body (62% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.29% fail on Panel (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.072% fail on Body condition (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.072% fail on Other body component (31% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.024% fail on Pillar
    • 0.39% fail on Seats (34% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.24% fail on Driver's seat (44% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Passenger's seat (35% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.27% fail on Doors (45% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Front passenger's door (37% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.14% fail on Door condition (32% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Other passenger's door (4.0% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.097% fail on Door condition (20% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.024% fail on Catch
      • 0.024% fail on Driver's door
        • 0.024% fail on Door condition
    • 0.17% fail on Bumpers (71% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.14% fail on Floor (26% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.072% fail on Cabs (11% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.072% fail on Prescribed areas (7.3% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.048% fail on Towbar (76% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Vehicle structure (73% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.048% fail on Engine mounting (29% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Bracket (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 3.4% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks (19% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.9% fail on Exhaust emissions (19% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.8% fail on Spark ignition (16% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.9% fail on Non catalyst emissions (29% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.43% fail on Catalyst emissions (47% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.43% fail on Emissions not tested (20% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.097% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp (8 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Compression ignition (48% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.097% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Non turbo (37% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.024% fail on On or after 01/07/2008
        • 0.024% fail on Emissions not tested
    • 0.48% fail on Fluid leaks (21% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.41% fail on Engine oil leaks (0.44% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Other leaks (58% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.024% fail on Hydraulic fluid leaks
    • 0.024% fail on Noise suppression
      • 0.024% fail on Sound deadening material
  • 2.8% fail on Steering (25% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.2% fail on Steering gear (6.6% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.2% fail on Steering rack (25% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.82% fail on Steering linkage components (59% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.68% fail on Track rod end (45% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Ball joint (63% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.024% fail on Locking devices
    • 0.56% fail on Power steering (62% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.27% fail on Other components (89% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Pipes and hoses (54% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.097% fail on Operation (0.077% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.048% fail on Pump (24% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.024% fail on Rams
    • 0.17% fail on Steering play (18% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Steering rack (84% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.14% fail on Steering coupling (98% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Flexible coupling (5 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.024% fail on Universal joint
    • 0.097% fail on Steering column (25% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.048% fail on Steering wheel (61% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.024% fail on Prescribed areas
  • 2.4% fail on Tyres (70% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.2% fail on Condition (59% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.2% fail on Tread depth (84% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.17% fail on Size/type (98% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 2.0% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (20% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.9% fail on Seat belts (18% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.2% fail on Prescribed areas (17% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.51% fail on Condition (16% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Requirements (40% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.097% fail on Attachment (5.3% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.024% fail on SRS malfunction indicator lamp
  • 0.72% fail on Identification of the vehicle (15% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.70% fail on Registration plates (15% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.024% fail on Vehicle Identification Number
  • 0.36% fail on Road Wheels (49% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.27% fail on Attachment (31% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.072% fail on Condition (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.024% fail on Hubs
  • 0.072% fail on Speedometer and speed limiter (43% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.072% fail on Speedometer (43% better than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 0.024% fail on Buses and coaches supplementary tests
    • 0.024% fail on Doors
      • 0.024% fail on Passenger entrance/exit doors
Read the Honest John Review