1990 BMW 318i Touring MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 318i Touring models manufactured in 1990, based on 106 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all 318i Touring cars tested in 1990. Want to see how cars built in 1990 hold up over time?
View 1990 BMW 318i Touring vintage page → (36.4% current pass rate)1990 BMW 318i Touring MOT Analysis
The 1990 BMW 318i Touring has an MOT pass rate of 46.2% based on 106 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 131,752 miles on the odometer. With a 53.8% failure rate, the 1990 318i Touring is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1990 BMW 318i Touring is Suspension, responsible for 2.8% of failures. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs range from £200–500. Driver's View of the Road is the second most common issue at 0.9%. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions follows at 0.9%.
Top failures specific to 1990 models only. The overall 318i Touring page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 2.8% | 3 |
| 2 | Driver's View Of The Road | 0.9% | 1 |
| 3 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 0.9% | 1 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.9% | 1 |
| 5 | Tyres | 0.9% | 1 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 131,752 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.21 | 2.8% | 3 |
| Visibility | 0.07 | 0.9% | 1 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.07 | 0.9% | 1 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.07 | 0.9% | 1 |
| Tyres | 0.07 | 0.9% | 1 |
| Brakes | 0.07 | 0.9% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1990 BMW 318i Touring has an MOT pass rate of 46.2% based on 106 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 131,752 miles on the odometer. With a 53.8% failure rate, the 1990 318i Touring is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1990 BMW 318i Touring, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks. With an average mileage of 131,752 miles, these vehicles are in the higher-mileage bracket where wear-related failures become more common.
Suspension — 2.8% of failures
Suspension issues account for 2.8% of MOT failures on 1990 BMW 318i Touring models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Driver's View of the Road — 0.9% of failures
Driver's View of the Road issues account for 0.9% of MOT failures on 1990 BMW 318i Touring models. Driver's View of the Road issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 0.9% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 0.9% of MOT failures on 1990 BMW 318i Touring models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.