1997 · 27 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1997 BMW 8 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

180 MOT tests in 2024. 82.8% passed first time, compared with 65.5% for all cars the same age.

126Well above average
Passed first time82.8%
Failed or needed repairs17.2%
Typical mileage at test107,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 180 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: too low2.2%
  2. Emissions not tested: unable to be completed2.2%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.7%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.1%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.1%
  7. Catalyst emissions: emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak1.1%
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.1%
  9. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced1.1%
  10. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Emissions & leaks8.3%
  2. Brakes6.1%
  3. Lights & electrics5.6%
  4. Suspension5.6%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.3%
  6. Body & chassis2.8%
  7. Tyres1.7%
  8. Number plates & VIN1.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine19.4%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.4%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded13.3%
  4. Non-component advisories: Fuel Pipe/s corroded8.3%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.8%

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: headlamp aim: too low. 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 1997 BMW 8 Series?

In 2024, 82.8% of 1997 BMW 8 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 180 tests. The average for all 27-year-old cars was 65.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1997 BMW 8 Series?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: too low; emissions not tested: unable to be completed; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was emissions & leaks.

Is the 1997 BMW 8 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 126, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).