1998 BMW 3 Series · 8,977 MOT tests
1998 BMW 3 Series reliability
1998 BMW 3 Seriess fail 32.2% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 21 of 25 3 Series years (8,977 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- 32.2%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 3 Seriess: 24.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 116,354
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 8,977
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- 1999 cars: 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 63% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 BMW 3 Series
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics15.2%
- Suspension11.4%
- Brakes10%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.1%
- Tyres3.8%
- Body, chassis and structure3.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.63%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Stop lamp not working 2.46%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 2.27%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle 2.04%
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 1.92%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 1.89%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (12.78%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.53%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (8.72%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.64%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (5.45%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.11%)
Other years
Every BMW 3 Series year
The full picture: BMW 3 Series reliability. Before you pay for any BMW 3 Series, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 BMW 3 Series reliable?
1998 BMW 3 Seriess fail 32.2% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 21 of 25 3 Series years (8,977 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 BMW 3 Series MOT?
Most often suspension ball joint excessively worn (2.63% of tests), stop lamp not working (2.46% of tests), position lamp not working (2.27% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 BMW 3 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 BMW 3 Series shows 116,354 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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