BMW 740: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The BMW 740 passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 11.2 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 3,162 individual BMW 740 tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate87.9%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+11.2 points
Tests analysed3,162
Average mileage at test77,961 miles
Average year of manufacture2014
Reliability rank998 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 87.9% first-time pass rate means roughly 12 in every 100 BMW 740s presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average BMW 740 tested had covered 77,961 miles and was built around 2014.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The BMW 740 sits 11.2 points above the national average, ranked 998 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

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 740 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 recorded closing bids for damaged BMW 740s at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a BMW 740

  1. Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, 1.1% of tests (18.31x the national rate for this defect)
  2. Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 0.5% of tests (2.74x the national rate for this defect)
  3. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1.9% of tests
  4. A tyre seriously damaged, 1.9% of tests
  5. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.6% of tests
  6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1.4% of tests
  7. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1% of tests
  8. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 0.9% of tests
  9. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 0.9% of tests
  10. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 0.8% of tests

From 3,156 DVSA-tracked BMW 740 tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 6.05% of these flagged BMW 740 defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a BMW 740

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a BMW 740 before it actually fails on it.

  1. A transmission shaft flexible coupling excessively deteriorated, 1.5% of tests (23.84x the national rate for this advisory)
  2. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 0.8% of tests (1.47x the national rate for this advisory)
  3. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 6.6% of tests (1.19x the national rate for this advisory)
  4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 19.6% of tests, also fails
  5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 6% of tests, also fails
  6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 5.2% of tests
  7. A tyre seriously damaged, 4.8% of tests, also fails
  8. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 4.8% of tests
  9. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 3.2% of tests
  10. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 1.8% of tests

From 3,156 DVSA-tracked BMW 740 tests, 2024.

BMW 740 pass rate by model year

From its 2016 to its 2019 model year, the BMW 740's first-time pass rate has risen 2.7 points, from 91.2% to 93.9%, the usual pattern: a newer model year is a younger car today, so it fails less. First-time pass rate for each BMW 740 year:

BMW 740 by fuel type

The BMW 740's two most-tested fuel types split by 3 points: diesel passes first time 89.7% of the time (2,111 tests) against 86.7% for petrol (1,004 tests).

Other BMW models

Models with a similar pass rate

If this car is a salvage or write-off

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BMW 740 MOT pass rate badge: 87.9%

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BMW 740 most common MOT failure: Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel (1.1% of tests)

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate