BMW 840: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The BMW 840 passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 5.5 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 701 individual BMW 840 tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate82.2%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+5.5 points
Tests analysed701
Average mileage at test106,831 miles
Average year of manufacture1997
Reliability rank1,371 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 82.2% first-time pass rate means roughly 18 in every 100 BMW 840s 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 840 tested had covered 106,831 miles and was built around 1997.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The BMW 840 sits 5.5 points above the national average, ranked 1,371 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 840 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 840s at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a BMW 840

  1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 2.3% of tests (6.49x the national rate for this defect)
  2. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 5.9% of tests (3.2x the national rate for this defect)
  3. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.2% of tests (1.76x the national rate for this defect)
  4. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 3.9% of tests (1.65x the national rate for this defect)
  5. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.7% of tests (1.62x the national rate for this defect)
  6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4% of tests
  7. Warning device shows system malfunction, 2% of tests (4.85x the national rate for this defect)
  8. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.7% of tests (2.63x the national rate for this defect)
  9. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 1.6% of tests
  10. Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, 1.6% of tests (5.81x the national rate for this defect)

From 697 DVSA-tracked BMW 840 tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 1.93% of these flagged BMW 840 defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a BMW 840

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 840 before it actually fails on it.

  1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 3.6% of tests (6.4x the national rate for this advisory)
  2. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 20.5% of tests (3.69x the national rate for this advisory)
  3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 22.8% of tests (3.68x the national rate for this advisory)
  4. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 3.3% of tests (2.65x the national rate for this advisory)
  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, 3.4% of tests (2.27x the national rate for this advisory)
  6. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 2.7% of tests (2.14x the national rate for this advisory)
  7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 27.5% of tests (2.06x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  8. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 9.9% of tests (1.91x the national rate for this advisory)
  9. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 8% of tests (1.7x the national rate for this advisory)
  10. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 4.7% of tests (1.66x the national rate for this advisory)

From 697 DVSA-tracked BMW 840 tests, 2024.

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BMW 840 MOT pass rate badge: 82.2%

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BMW 840 most common MOT failure: Emissions levels exceed default limits (2.3% of tests)

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate