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Bmw M3 - 1997

190.7 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1997 is 338.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw M3, model year 1997. Sample size: 254 cars, 472 tests and 900 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 254 cars

The 1997 BMW M3 shows an overall defect rate of 191 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the average of 335 per 100 for vehicles of the same year, marking a 43% improvement. This model particularly excels in categories such as Steering, Visibility, and Lights & Electrics, with all showing notably lower defect rates compared to the average. Additionally, in the mileage segments, defects increase with mileage, but the M3 maintains a relatively better performance across higher mileage ranges compared to typical vehicles. There are no standout areas where the M3 performs worse than average, indicating strong reliability in various aspects.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 254 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

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Categories

Brakes
▲ 19.2% better
114.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 141.1 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▲ 38.3% better
16.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.4 / 100 tests
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Power steering component: fouling or misaligned
Visibility
▲ 34.5% better
16.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 43.7% better
36.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.5 / 100 tests
  • 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
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 54.5% better
114.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 250.7 / 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
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
Body/Structure
▲ 69.7% better
25.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 83.8 / 100 tests
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • 6.1.1 (d) (i)
  • 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
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
Equipment
▲ 73.3% better
5.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.1 / 100 tests
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • 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
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • 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:
Other
▲ 15.2% better
51.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.0 / 100 tests
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
  • Emissions test unable to be completed

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 535 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: 140
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 85
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 66
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 46
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 36
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 35
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 31
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 23
Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 23
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 22

Serious faults (Top 10)

Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Emissions test unable to be completed
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 4