BMW 728: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The BMW 728 fails its first MOT more often than the average UK car, by 0.5 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 764 individual BMW 728 tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate76.2%
UK national average76.7%
Difference-0.5 points
Tests analysed764
Average mileage at test133,447 miles
Average year of manufacture1999
Reliability rank1,583 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 76.2% first-time pass rate means roughly 24 in every 100 BMW 728s presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is worse than average, so budget for remedial work and treat a fresh 12-month MOT as a genuine selling point rather than a given. The average BMW 728 tested had covered 133,447 miles and was built around 1999.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. On a BMW 728 bought as a repairable salvage, assume the mechanical side needs more than the visible accident damage, and pad your repair estimate accordingly.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific BMW 728 rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see what damaged BMW 728s actually sold for at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a BMW 728

  1. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 1.7% of tests (7.2x the national rate for this defect)
  2. Parking brake inoperative on one side, 1.4% of tests (3.04x the national rate for this defect)
  3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 2.4% of tests (2.87x the national rate for this defect)
  4. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3.8% of tests (2.86x the national rate for this defect)
  5. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.4% of tests (2.85x the national rate for this defect)
  6. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this defect)
  7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 5.6% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect)
  8. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 1.4% of tests (1.5x the national rate for this defect)
  9. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.6% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect)
  10. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.8% of tests

From 1,690 DVSA-tracked BMW 728 tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.44% of these flagged BMW 728 defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 4.97% nationally.

Other BMW models

Models with a similar pass rate

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate