1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 BMW 8 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

121 MOT tests in 2024. 82.6% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

127Well above average
Passed first time82.6%
Failed or needed repairs17.4%
Typical mileage at test97,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 121 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.1%
  2. Headlamp aim: too low3.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.5%
    9 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.7%
  6. Horn: not working1.7%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.7%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%
  9. Wipers: not working1.7%
  10. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics10.7%
  2. Suspension9.1%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.4%
  4. Tyres6.6%
  5. Brakes5.8%
  6. Body & chassis5.0%
  7. Emissions & leaks1.7%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.4%
  2. Non-component advisories: Fuel Pipe/s corroded12.4%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.6%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.6%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.1%

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 dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. 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 1998 BMW 8 Series?

In 2024, 82.6% of 1998 BMW 8 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 121 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 BMW 8 Series?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp aim: too low; tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1998 BMW 8 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 127, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).