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BMW 7 Series reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 122,189 MOT tests of cars first registered 1998–2021.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
80.9%pass first time
+13.6 ptsvs typical car
Beats 98%of cars
122,189MOT tests

Verdict

The BMW 7 Series passes its MOT first time on 80.9% of tests, 13.6 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (67.3%). That puts it ahead of 98% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2010 7 Series does best (beats 99% of cars) and the 1998 worst (beats 84%).

Better than average on suspension, lights & electrics, brakes.

Watch these weak spots

Wheels2.9×as often as a typical car
Wheel condition7.6×as often as a typical car
Airbag warning light1.9×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%100%3456789101112131415161718192089%89%86%83%79%75%73%71%69%
BMW 7 SeriesTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1998
Beats 84%
1999
Beats 93%
2000
Beats 88%
2001
Beats 95%
2002
Beats 92%
2003
Beats 97%
2004
Beats 94%
2005
Beats 94%
2006
Beats 95%
2007
Beats 97%
2008
Beats 97%
2009
Beats 99%
2010
Beats 99%
2011
Beats 99%
2012
Beats 99%
2013
Beats 97%
2014
Beats 97%
2015
Beats 97%
2016
Beats 99%
2017
Beats 99%
2018
Beats 99%
2019
Beats 99%
2020
Beats 99%
2021
Beats 98%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel2003–2020107,54981.4%Beats 98%A
2.8 Petrol1998–20016,32668.7%Beats 92%A
3.0 Hybrid2019–20213,46891.0%Beats 99%A
4.4 Petrol2002–20021,46667.6%Beats 92%A
2.0 Hybrid2017–20171,18487.8%Beats 97%A
3.0 Diesel hybrid2021–20211,14690.8%Beats 95%A
4.8 Petrol2005–20051,05070.5%Beats 95%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 6.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 4.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 3.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 4.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+9.8 ptsTyres: 6.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.2 ptsBrakes: 3.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+4.9 ptsSuspension: 6.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+4.6 ptsExhaust: 1.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+2.5 ptsSuspension: 6.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 3.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 4.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 4.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+9.8 ptsTyres: 6.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.2 ptsBrakes: 3.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 8.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+4.9 ptsSuspension: 6.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+4.6 ptsExhaust: 1.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+2.5 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 6.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
6.3% vs 10.8%
Tyres
6.1% vs 7.3%
Lights & electrics
4.4% vs 14.2%
Brakes
3.6% vs 8.5%
Visibility
2.7% vs 5.4%
Seat belts & airbags
1.6% vs 1.4%
Emissions & leaks
1.4% vs 3.9%
Wheels
1.3% vs 0.5%
Body & structure
0.9% vs 4.3%
Steering
0.8% vs 2.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Coil springs
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Suspension ball joints
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Windscreen washers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k92%90%86%81%80%77%73%74%
BMW 7 SeriesTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking3.9%3.8%1.0×
Tyre tread depth1.9%3.2%0.6×
Coil springs1.8%2.6%0.7×
Suspension ball joints1.8%1.8%1.0×
Suspension arm bushes1.5%1.4%1.1×
Windscreen washers1.5%2.4%0.6×
Headlight aim1.3%3.9%0.3×
Sidelights1.2%3.6%0.3×
Airbag warning light1.2%0.6%1.9×
Handbrake performance1.2%1.9%0.6×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn31.7
A tyre seriously damaged22.8
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements18.9
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened18.0
A tyre cords visible or damaged15.4
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen14.5
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements13.0
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction12.1
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2021 BMW 7 Series2 engines90.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Hybrid1,21990.9%Beats 99%A
3.0 Diesel hybrid1,14690.8%Beats 95%A
2020 BMW 7 Series2 engines91.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel1,90491.7%Beats 99%A
3.0 Hybrid1,01191.6%Beats 99%A
2019 BMW 7 Series2 engines91.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel5,50391.2%Beats 99%A
3.0 Hybrid1,23890.7%Beats 99%A
2018 BMW 7 Series1 engine90.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel7,55590.5%Beats 99%A
2017 BMW 7 Series2 engines89.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel8,75589.4%Beats 99%A
2.0 Hybrid1,18487.8%Beats 97%A
2016 BMW 7 Series1 engine89.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel10,59789.0%Beats 99%A
2015 BMW 7 Series1 engine85.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel6,00085.8%Beats 97%A
2014 BMW 7 Series1 engine83.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel7,57983.3%Beats 97%A
2013 BMW 7 Series1 engine81.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel6,29681.0%Beats 97%A
2012 BMW 7 Series1 engine80.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel7,77480.7%Beats 99%A
2011 BMW 7 Series1 engine79.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel7,94479.3%Beats 99%A
2010 BMW 7 Series1 engine80.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel6,21380.8%Beats 99%A
2009 BMW 7 Series1 engine78.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel4,65678.9%Beats 99%A
2008 BMW 7 Series1 engine73.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel5,95073.5%Beats 97%A
2007 BMW 7 Series1 engine72.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel5,24672.3%Beats 97%A
2006 BMW 7 Series1 engine69.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel7,90969.4%Beats 95%A
2005 BMW 7 Series2 engines68.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel4,05367.7%Beats 93%A
4.8 Petrol1,05070.5%Beats 95%A
2004 BMW 7 Series1 engine67.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel1,85867.9%Beats 94%A
2003 BMW 7 Series1 engine70.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel1,75770.1%Beats 97%A
2002 BMW 7 Series1 engine67.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.4 Petrol1,46667.6%Beats 92%A
2001 BMW 7 Series1 engine69.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Petrol2,12269.8%Beats 95%A
2000 BMW 7 Series1 engine67.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Petrol1,64567.0%Beats 88%A
1999 BMW 7 Series1 engine69.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Petrol1,47469.9%Beats 93%A
1998 BMW 7 Series1 engine67.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Petrol1,08567.2%Beats 84%A

FAQ

What is the BMW 7 Series MOT pass rate?

80.9% of MOT tests on the BMW 7 Series were passed first time, based on 122,189 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1998–2021. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 67.3% of the time.

Is the BMW 7 Series reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 98% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which BMW 7 Series year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2010 7 Series does best for its age and mileage: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 1998 does worst: it beats 84%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the BMW 7 Series?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, coil springs. Compared with similar cars, wheel condition comes up 7.6× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.