Diesel BMW 740: MOT pass rate
89.7% of diesel BMW 740s pass the MOT first time, measured across 2,111 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 73,491.
Diesel against the other BMW 740 versions
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 89.7% | 2,111 |
| Petrol | 86.7% | 1,004 |
| All BMW 740 | 88.7% | 3,132 |
Why the fuel type changes the number
Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.
On the BMW 740 specifically, diesel is the strongest at 89.7%, and this diesel version sits 1 points above the 88.7% model average.
What it means if you are buying one
The diesel BMW 740 is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.
Mileage is part of the answer
The average diesel BMW 740 had covered 73,491 miles at test, against 89,764 for the petrol. That is a shade above the middle of the range, still ordinary wear rather than a red flag, but worth checking against the service book for the car's age.
Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the BMW 740 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.
Most common MOT failures on a diesel BMW 740
- Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, 1.5% of tests (24.79x the national rate for this defect)
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.4% of tests (1.54x the national rate for this defect)
- A tyre seriously damaged, 2.4% of tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1.3% of tests
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1.3% of tests
- A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.2% of tests
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 0.8% of tests
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 0.7% of tests
- Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 0.6% of tests (3.31x the national rate for this defect)
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 0.4% of tests
From 2,125 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 740 tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 740's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 8.4% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.
Most common MOT advisories on a diesel BMW 740
Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.
- A transmission shaft flexible coupling excessively deteriorated, 2.2% of tests (34.67x the national rate for this defect)
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 21.6% of tests, also fails
- a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 5.4% of tests
- Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 5% of tests
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 3.8% of tests, also fails
- A tyre seriously damaged, 2.6% of tests, also fails
- Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 2.6% of tests
- Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 1.8% of tests
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 0.9% of tests
- Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 0.7% of tests
From 2,125 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 740 tests, 2024.
Other BMW 740 fuel types
- Petrol BMW 740 - 86.7%