MOT Results

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BMW 3-Series MOT Results

70.6% pass rate
from 5,114 tests in 2020
(6.6% 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
    • 5.0% fail on Headlamp aim (42% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 4.8% fail on Headlamp aim (46% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.22% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 3.4% fail on Direction indicators (24% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.4% fail on Flashing type (24% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.0% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 1.0% fail on Side repeaters (53% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.41% fail on All direction indicators
        • 0.039% fail on Switch
    • 3.3% fail on Headlamps
      • 2.8% fail on Headlamp
      • 0.57% fail on Headlamp levelling device (11 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.020% fail on Dipswitch
    • 2.6% fail on Front and rear fog lamps
      • 2.6% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 2.5% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 0.33% fail on Switch
      • 0.020% fail on Front fog lamps
        • 0.020% fail on Front fog lamp switch
    • 2.5% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 1.4% fail on Battery(ies) (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Horn (29% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.23% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 2.1% fail on Stop lamp
    • 1.3% fail on Position lamps
      • 1.3% fail on Position lamp
    • 0.53% fail on Registration plate lamp(s) (62% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.43% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.41% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
      • 0.020% fail on Main beam tell-tale
    • 0.059% fail on Hazard warning (80% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.059% fail on Switch (80% better than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 10.0% fail on Suspension (22% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.0% fail on Suspension arms (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.9% fail on Ball joint (190% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.8% fail on Pins and bushes (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.65% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.059% fail on Suspension arm
      • 0.039% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 3.7% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 1.9% fail on Anti-roll bars (200% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.96% fail on Linkage pins and bushes (5 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.25% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.22% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.16% fail on Linkage ball joint dust cover
      • 0.12% fail on Linkage
      • 0.078% fail on Linkage ball joints
      • 0.078% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.059% fail on Anti-roll bar
      • 0.039% fail on Linkage attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.020% fail on Ball joint
    • 0.88% fail on Sub-frames (76% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.57% fail on Pins and bushes (6 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.31% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas
      • 0.059% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 0.80% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.74% fail on Wheel bearings (51% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.74% fail on Springs
      • 0.59% fail on Coil springs
        • 0.57% fail on Coil spring (73% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.020% fail on Mounting
      • 0.16% fail on Spring mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.25% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.14% fail on Macpherson strut (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.078% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.020% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.020% fail on Ball joint
    • 0.20% fail on Other suspension component (61% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.098% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.078% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.020% fail on Other suspension component
    • 0.12% fail on Axles (66% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.078% fail on Swivel pins and bushes
      • 0.039% fail on Axle
  • 9.4% fail on Brakes
    • 5.9% fail on Brake performance (18% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.7% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp)
        • 2.6% fail on Rbt (sp)
        • 0.059% fail on Decelerometer (sp)
        • 0.020% fail on Plate brake tester (sp)
      • 2.2% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (27% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.2% fail on Rbt (sp) (24% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 1.3% fail on Service brake imbalance (39% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 1.2% fail on Service brake performance
      • 2.0% fail on Service brake performance (40% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 2.0% fail on Rbt (38% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 1.7% fail on Service brake performance (37% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.43% fail on Service brake imbalance (48% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.3% fail on Parking brake performance
        • 1.3% fail on Rbt
          • 1.2% fail on Parking brake performance
          • 0.12% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance) (65% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.37% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 2.4% fail on Rigid brake pipes (95% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.70% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 0.37% fail on Brake linings and pads
        • 0.37% fail on Brake pads
      • 0.31% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.31% fail on Brake discs
      • 0.059% fail on Brake cables, rods, levers and linkages
        • 0.039% fail on Lever
        • 0.020% fail on Cable
    • 0.66% fail on ABS / EBS / ESC (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.66% fail on Anti-lock braking system (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.53% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.41% fail on Pedal
      • 0.12% fail on Hand lever
    • 0.51% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.47% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.29% fail on Brake fluid (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.098% fail on Master cylinder
      • 0.039% fail on Reservoirs
      • 0.020% fail on Servos
      • 0.020% fail on Valves
    • 0.20% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders)
      • 0.14% fail on Hydraulic brake cylinder
      • 0.059% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers
    • 0.14% fail on Parking brake control (63% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.14% fail on Lever (63% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.098% fail on Other components and prescribed areas
      • 0.098% fail on Prescribed areas
        • 0.059% fail on Master cylinder/servo mounting
        • 0.020% fail on Actuating linkage mounting
        • 0.020% fail on Other braking system component
    • 0.039% fail on Air and vacuum systems
      • 0.039% fail on Servos
  • 7.6% fail on Visibility (19% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 5.2% fail on Washers (21% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.8% fail on Wipers
    • 0.14% fail on Driver's view
    • 0.12% fail on View to rear
      • 0.12% fail on Mirrors
    • 0.039% fail on Bonnet
  • 6.6% fail on Body, chassis, structure
    • 2.3% fail on Exhaust system
    • 1.2% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 1.1% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
      • 0.020% fail on Strengthening plate
    • 1.1% fail on Chassis
      • 1.1% fail on Chassis condition
    • 0.92% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.41% fail on Pipe
      • 0.20% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device
      • 0.18% fail on Hose
      • 0.098% fail on Tank
      • 0.039% fail on System
    • 0.72% fail on Transmission (47% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.55% fail on Drive shafts (49% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.51% fail on Joints (50% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.039% fail on Drive shaft
      • 0.18% fail on Prop shafts
        • 0.078% fail on Prop shaft
        • 0.059% fail on Flexible couplings
        • 0.039% fail on Joints
        • 0.020% fail on Bearing housing
    • 0.65% fail on Seats
      • 0.49% fail on Driver's seat
      • 0.25% fail on Passenger's seat
    • 0.37% fail on Body
      • 0.20% fail on Panel
      • 0.098% fail on Other body component
      • 0.078% fail on Body condition
    • 0.35% fail on Doors
      • 0.18% fail on Front passenger's door
        • 0.18% fail on Door condition
      • 0.18% fail on Other passenger's door
        • 0.16% fail on Door condition
        • 0.020% fail on Catch
      • 0.039% fail on Driver's door (79% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.039% fail on Door condition
    • 0.23% fail on Floor
    • 0.22% fail on Bumpers
    • 0.059% fail on Cabs
      • 0.059% fail on Prescribed areas
    • 0.039% fail on Towbar (81% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.039% fail on Vehicle structure (79% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.020% fail on Engine mounting
      • 0.020% fail on Engine mounting condition
    • 0.020% fail on Load security
      • 0.020% fail on Access panel
    • 0.020% fail on Trikes and quads
      • 0.020% fail on Passenger hand grips
    • 0.020% fail on Boot lid
      • 0.020% fail on Boot lid condition
  • 4.1% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks
    • 3.6% fail on Exhaust emissions
      • 3.5% fail on Spark ignition
        • 2.4% fail on Non catalyst emissions
        • 0.57% fail on Catalyst emissions (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.57% fail on Emissions not tested
        • 0.12% fail on Malfunction indicator lamp (7 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.020% fail on Emission control equipment
          • 0.020% fail on Oxygen sensor
      • 0.098% fail on Compression ignition (68% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.039% fail on Pre 01/07/2008 Non turbo
        • 0.020% fail on Emission control equipment
          • 0.020% fail on Catalytic converter
        • 0.020% fail on On or after 01/01/2014
        • 0.020% fail on Emissions not tested
    • 0.66% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.53% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.078% fail on Other leaks
      • 0.059% fail on Transmission oil leaks
      • 0.020% fail on Hydraulic fluid leaks
    • 0.039% fail on Noise suppression
      • 0.039% fail on Sound deadening material
  • 2.6% fail on Steering (33% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.92% fail on Steering linkage components (53% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.72% fail on Track rod end (41% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.078% fail on Ball joint (73% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.039% fail on Other components
        • 0.020% fail on Steering component
        • 0.020% fail on Steering linkage
      • 0.039% fail on Locking devices
      • 0.020% fail on Drag link end
      • 0.020% fail on Steering arm
    • 0.84% fail on Steering gear
      • 0.80% fail on Steering rack
      • 0.039% fail on Operation
    • 0.65% fail on Power steering (78% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.23% fail on Pipes and hoses (180% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.22% fail on Other components
      • 0.18% fail on Operation
      • 0.039% fail on Pump
      • 0.020% fail on Rams
    • 0.16% fail on Steering wheel
    • 0.098% fail on Steering coupling
      • 0.059% fail on Universal joint
      • 0.039% fail on Flexible coupling
    • 0.078% fail on Steering play
      • 0.078% fail on Steering rack
    • 0.039% fail on Steering column
    • 0.020% fail on Prescribed areas
  • 2.2% fail on Tyres (44% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.2% fail on Condition (47% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.00% fail on Tread depth
    • 0.16% fail on Size/type
  • 1.9% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems
    • 1.9% fail on Seat belts
      • 1.2% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 0.61% fail on Condition
      • 0.12% fail on Requirements
      • 0.020% fail on Attachment
    • 0.059% fail on SRS malfunction indicator lamp (7 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 0.82% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.82% fail on Registration plates
  • 0.37% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.29% fail on Attachment
    • 0.078% fail on Condition
  • 0.16% fail on Speedometer and speed limiter
    • 0.16% fail on Speedometer
  • 0.039% fail on Seat belt installation check
    • 0.039% fail on Anchorages
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