BMW R51/3 common MOT failures and failure rate
What a BMW R51/3 fails its MOT on, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.
Based on 67 MOT tests in DVSA data.
About 13.4% of MOT tests recorded on the BMW R51/3 in DVSA data end in a failure. The same handful of items account for most of them.
Its most common failure is other, which makes up 11.1% of the BMW R51/3's failures, followed by other, suspension. Each item below links to the part that resolves it. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying, and have safety-critical work done by a competent mechanic.
What it fails on, and why
This covers a range of smaller items, from a non-working horn to a warning light left on.
Suspension failures usually mean a worn or snapped coil spring, a leaking shock absorber, or play in a lower arm ball joint or bush. The tester checks for corrosion, fractures and excessive movement. A broken front spring is one of the most common failures on higher-mileage cars and is a straightforward replacement.
The parts that fix each
If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. These are the usual parts; confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.
Other models
Sources: DVSA MOT History API: MOT test results and defect data ยท DVSA MOT testing data for Great Britain