1995 · 29 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1995 BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

771 MOT tests in 2024. 69.4% passed first time, compared with 66.8% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time69.4%
Failed or needed repairs30.6%
Typical mileage at test109,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 771 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.6%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.0%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.6%
  4. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.5%
  5. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.3%
  6. Emissions not tested: unable to be completed2.3%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.2%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.1%
  9. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.1%
  10. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits1.8%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics21.1%
  2. Suspension17.4%
  3. Brakes16.0%
  4. Emissions & leaks13.1%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.0%
  6. Body & chassis6.0%
  7. Tyres3.5%
  8. Steering3.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded23.2%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.4%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn7.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1995 BMW 3 Series?

In 2024, 69.4% of 1995 BMW 3 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 771 tests. The average for all 29-year-old cars was 66.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1995 BMW 3 Series?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1995 BMW 3 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).