MOT performance
1998 BMW 3 Series: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 4,514 MOT tests on 1998-registered BMW 3 Seriess in 2023–2024 (on average 24.7 years old at test, median 117,337 miles), 67.8% passed first time, 7.1 points lower than the BMW 3 Series overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 1998 BMW 3 Seriess failed 5% less often than comparable cars.
4,514 MOT tests on 2,634 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 67.8% | ±1.4 pts (95%), n = 4,514 |
| All BMW 3 Seriess | 74.9% | n = 1,007,360 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.95× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 6.9% | n = 4,514 |
| Average age at test | 24.7 years | n = 4,514 |
Where 1998 BMW 3 Seriess fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 15.1% | -1% |
| Suspension | 11.5% | +3% |
| Brakes | 9.8% | -12% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.1% | -4% |
| Driver's view of the road | 5.0% | -22% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 3.9% | -51% |
| Tyres | 3.9% | +9% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 3.6% | +23% |
| Steering | 2.5% | -20% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.8% | +6% |
| Road wheels | 0.4% | +49% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 3.15% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.95% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.88% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.64% |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.61% |
Check a specific 1998 BMW 3 Series
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.