2015 BMW 7 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,229 MOT tests, the 2015 BMW 7 Series recorded an 88.3% pass rate. Against executive cars of a similar age (14.0% fail rate), the 2015 7 Series comes out 2.3pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.0% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, tread depth and wipers — pins and bushes alone was recorded 125 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 12.0% once past 150k — 2.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.0% | 252 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.7% | 113 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.9% | 82 |
| 4 | Road wheels | 1.8% | 77 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 73 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.4% | 59 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 125 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 100 |
| 3 | Wipers | 46 |
| 4 | Washers | 44 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 44 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 43 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 18.6% | 788 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.7% | 451 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.5% | 234 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.3% | 180 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 151 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 76 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 286 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,182 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,305 | 12.4% |
| 90-120k | 844 | 12.3% |
| 120-150k | 371 | 11.6% |
| 150k+ | 233 | 12.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,721 | 11.9% |
| Petrol | 483 | 10.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 876 | 9.7% |
| 2022 | 879 | 12.6% |
| 2023 | 849 | 12.6% |
| 2024 | 827 | 12.2% |
| 2025 | 798 | 11.7% |
What to check before buying a 2015 7 Series
On a 2015 7 Series, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (2.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (1.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2015 BMW 7 Seriess pass their MOT?
88.3% of the 4,229 2015 BMW 7 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 BMW 7 Series?
Tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by suspension (2.7%).
Does the 2015 7 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 12.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,229 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.