1992 · 32 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1992 BMW 3 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

473 MOT tests in 2024. 75.3% passed first time, compared with 68.8% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time75.3%
Failed or needed repairs24.7%
Typical mileage at test110,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 473 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid3.0%
  2. Headlamp aim: too low2.1%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.9%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.7%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.5%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.5%
  7. Position lamp: not working1.5%
  8. Washers: not working1.3%
  9. Emissions not tested: unable to be completed1.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics18.6%
  2. Suspension8.2%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.2%
  4. Brakes7.2%
  5. Body & chassis6.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.3%
  7. Steering2.7%
  8. Tyres1.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded14.4%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.9%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn7.6%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.1%
  5. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)5.7%

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: washers: provides insufficient washer liquid. 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 1992 BMW 3 Series?

In 2024, 75.3% of 1992 BMW 3 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 473 tests. The average for all 32-year-old cars was 68.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1992 BMW 3 Series?

The most common failure reasons were washers: provides insufficient washer liquid; headlamp aim: too low; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1992 BMW 3 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).