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Bmw M3 - 1996

189.4 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1996 is 337.1 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw M3, model year 1996. Sample size: 219 cars, 388 tests and 735 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 219 cars

The 1996 BMW M3 has an overall defect rate of 189 defects per 100 vehicles, significantly better than the yearly average of 330 defects per 100 vehicles, marking a 43% improvement. Notably, this model excels in several categories, including brakes and steering, where it shows fewer defects compared to the average. The M3 also stands out positively in visibility, wheels, and body structure, with defect rates considerably lower than those of other vehicles from the same year. While there is a trend of increasing defects with higher mileage, the M3 remains remarkably reliable compared to its peers across all mileage segments.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 219 cars

More model years for Bmw M3

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Other models from Bmw

Bmw 114 Bmw 116 Bmw 118 Bmw 120 Bmw 123 Bmw 125 Bmw 216 Bmw 218 Bmw 220 Bmw 316 Bmw 318 Bmw 320 Bmw 330 Bmw 335 Bmw 418 Bmw 420 Bmw 428 Bmw 430 Bmw 435 Bmw 440 Bmw 518 Bmw 520 Bmw 523 Bmw 525 Bmw 528 Bmw 530 Bmw 535 Bmw 630 Bmw 640 Bmw 645 Bmw 650 Bmw 728 Bmw 730 Bmw 740 Bmw 840 Bmw ALPINA Bmw I3 Bmw I4 Bmw IX3 Bmw M2 Bmw M3 Bmw M340D Bmw M4 Bmw M5 Bmw M6 Bmw X1 Bmw X2 Bmw X3 Bmw X4 Bmw X5 Bmw X6 Bmw X7 Bmw Z3 Bmw Z4

Categories

Brakes
▲ 26.8% better
100.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 136.6 / 100 tests
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
Steering
▲ 27.9% better
22.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 30.8 / 100 tests
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • Excessive radial movement between the top of the steering column and the shaft indicating an excessively worn top bearing
  • Power steering component: fractured or insecure
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
Visibility
▲ 42.0% better
16.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.6 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • A bonnet: which cannot be safely secured in the closed position
Lights & Electrics
▲ 17.5% better
54.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 66.2 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
  • Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
  • Stop lamp(s): all missing or inoperative
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 58.2% better
97.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 234.4 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 77.4% better
19.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 86.6 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
Equipment
▲ 82.3% better
4.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.0 / 100 tests
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • Audible warning:
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
  • A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
Other
▲ 3.0% better
63.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.9 / 100 tests
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 536 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 89
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 74
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 40
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 30
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 26
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 23
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 23
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 22
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 18
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 17

Serious faults (Top 10)

Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 17
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Stop lamp(s): all missing or inoperative
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 5