MOT Results

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BMW 3-Series MOT Results

67.6% pass rate
from 3,566 tests in 2017
(11% 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.

  • 18% fail on Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment
    • 6.1% fail on Headlamp aim (40% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.4% fail on Direction indicators
      • 3.4% fail on Flashing type
        • 1.9% fail on Individual lamps
        • 0.95% fail on Side repeaters
        • 0.67% fail on All direction indicators
        • 0.084% fail on Tell tales
        • 0.028% fail on Switch
      • 0.028% fail on Semaphore
        • 0.028% fail on Tell tales
    • 3.2% fail on Position lamps
      • 2.0% fail on Front lamps
      • 1.3% fail on Rear lamps
      • 0.084% fail on All position lamps
    • 3.0% fail on Rear fog lamp (34% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.6% fail on Fog lamp
      • 0.70% fail on Tell tale
      • 0.25% fail on Switch
    • 2.7% fail on Stop lamp
    • 2.7% fail on Headlamps
      • 2.5% fail on Headlamp
      • 0.084% fail on Headlamp defects which don't require an aim check on retest
        • 0.084% fail on Main beam 'tell-tale'
      • 0.084% fail on Headlamp defects which do require an aim check on retest
        • 0.028% fail on Headlamp levelling device
        • 0.028% fail on Headlamp cleaning device
        • 0.028% fail on Main beam 'tell-tale'
      • 0.028% fail on Matched pair
      • 0.028% fail on Switch
    • 2.4% fail on Battery (100% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.7% fail on Registration plate lamp (37% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.95% fail on Horn (53% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.42% fail on Hazard warning (53% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.31% fail on Switch
      • 0.11% fail on Lamp (80% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.028% fail on Tell tale
    • 0.28% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 0.028% fail on Trailer electrical socket
  • 13% fail on Suspension (32% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 5.0% fail on Prescribed areas (27% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 4.0% fail on Component mounting (45% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Subframe mounting (75% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.42% fail on Spring mounting (55% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.3% fail on Suspension arms (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.1% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints (170% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.084% fail on Condition
      • 0.084% fail on Attachment
    • 2.3% fail on Anti-roll bars (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.6% fail on Linkage pins/bushes/ball joints (5 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Attachment (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Linkage condition (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints
      • 0.028% fail on Condition
    • 1.7% fail on Wheel bearings
      • 1.1% fail on Front
      • 0.64% fail on Rear
    • 1.4% fail on Front suspension joints (49% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.0% fail on Shock absorbers
      • 1.0% fail on Condition
    • 0.87% fail on Sub-frames (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.76% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints (11 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.084% fail on Attachment
      • 0.056% fail on Condition
    • 0.67% fail on Coil springs (91% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.62% fail on Condition (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.056% fail on Location
    • 0.14% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.14% fail on Condition
    • 0.11% fail on Tie bars/rods
      • 0.11% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints
    • 0.056% fail on Trailing arms
      • 0.028% fail on Condition
      • 0.028% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints
    • 0.056% fail on Axles (81% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.056% fail on Stub axle (8 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.056% fail on Drive shafts (94% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.028% fail on Front drive shafts
        • 0.028% fail on Constant velocity joints
      • 0.028% fail on Any drive shaft which is part of the suspension
        • 0.028% fail on Drive shafts
    • 0.028% fail on General condition
    • 0.028% fail on Bonded suspension
      • 0.028% fail on Condition
    • 0.028% fail on Front suspension retaining and locking devices
  • 11% fail on Brakes
    • 6.2% fail on Brake performance (26% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.2% fail on Rear wheels
      • 2.7% fail on Parking brake performance
      • 1.9% fail on Front wheels (52% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Service brake performance
      • 0.50% fail on Brake imbalance
      • 0.17% fail on Brake performance not tested
      • 0.056% fail on Brake operation
    • 5.5% fail on Hydraulic systems (64% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 4.5% fail on Components (72% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.9% fail on Pipes (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.0% fail on Hoses (72% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.14% fail on Reservoirs
        • 0.11% fail on Cylinders
        • 0.028% fail on Valves
      • 0.56% fail on Brake fluid warning lamp (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.45% fail on Leaks
      • 0.17% fail on Operation
    • 0.76% fail on Hub components
      • 0.53% fail on Brake pads
      • 0.17% fail on Brake discs
      • 0.056% fail on Brake calipers
      • 0.056% fail on Wheel cylinder
      • 0.028% fail on Brake drums
    • 0.56% fail on Parking brake
      • 0.56% fail on Condition
    • 0.56% fail on ABS (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.48% fail on Service brake control components
      • 0.48% fail on Pedal
        • 0.31% fail on Condition
        • 0.17% fail on Anti-slip
    • 0.22% fail on Restricted movement
    • 0.11% fail on Air and vacuum systems
      • 0.11% fail on Components
        • 0.056% fail on Hoses (12 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.056% fail on Servos
    • 0.084% fail on Mechanical components
      • 0.084% fail on Cable
    • 0.084% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 0.084% fail on Master cylinder/servo mounting
    • 0.056% fail on Additional braking devices (12 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 7.6% fail on Driver's view of the road
    • 5.0% fail on Washers
    • 3.3% fail on Wipers
    • 0.22% fail on Windscreen
    • 0.084% fail on Mirrors
    • 0.056% fail on Bonnet
  • 6.6% fail on Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions
    • 2.9% fail on Exhaust system
    • 2.8% fail on Emissions
    • 1.1% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.31% fail on Tank (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.31% fail on Cap
      • 0.22% fail on Pipe
      • 0.14% fail on Hose
      • 0.11% fail on System (76% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.39% fail on Emissions not tested
  • 3.7% fail on Body, Structure and General Items
    • 2.2% fail on Body condition (64% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.1% fail on Vehicle structure
      • 1.1% fail on Chassis
    • 0.34% fail on Doors
      • 0.31% fail on Passengers front
      • 0.056% fail on Passengers other
    • 0.31% fail on Seats (54% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.28% fail on Drivers
      • 0.056% fail on Passengers (80% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.084% fail on Speedometer
  • 3.7% fail on Tyres (67% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.9% fail on Condition (49% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.8% fail on Tread depth (100% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.14% fail on Size/type
    • 0.028% fail on Valve stem
  • 3.3% fail on Steering (26% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.2% fail on Steering system (40% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Steering rack
      • 0.79% fail on Track rod end (47% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.22% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.11% fail on Free play
        • 0.11% fail on Steering rack
      • 0.084% fail on Steering arm
      • 0.028% fail on Drag link end
    • 0.93% fail on Power steering (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.42% fail on Pipes and hoses (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.31% fail on Other components
      • 0.14% fail on Operation
      • 0.056% fail on Drive system
      • 0.056% fail on Rams
      • 0.028% fail on Pump
    • 0.20% fail on Steering control
      • 0.20% fail on Steering coupling
        • 0.17% fail on Flexible coupling (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.028% fail on Universal joint
    • 0.20% fail on Steering operation
    • 0.084% fail on Locking devices
  • 2.4% fail on Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems
    • 2.4% fail on Seat belts
      • 1.7% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 0.39% fail on Condition
      • 0.22% fail on Requirements
      • 0.22% fail on Attachment
      • 0.028% fail on Installation check
        • 0.028% fail on Anchorage's
  • 1.0% fail on Registration plates and VIN
    • 1.0% fail on Registration plate
  • 0.31% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.20% fail on Attachment
    • 0.11% fail on Condition
  • 0.056% fail on Towbars
    • 0.056% fail on Towbar
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