BMW 728i — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 728i recorded a 78.9% MOT pass rate across 4,950 tests in this dataset (model years 1980–2014), with suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes its most common failure areas. Its 21.1% fail rate is higher than the 13.4% average across all BMW 7 Series versions.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 58 | 79.3% | 20.7% |
| 1996 | 263 | 84.4% | 15.6% |
| 1997 | 636 | 77.7% | 22.3% |
| 1998 | 684 | 77.3% | 22.7% |
| 1999 | 908 | 79.7% | 20.3% |
| 2000 | 1,052 | 77.8% | 22.1% |
| 2001 | 1,282 | 79.3% | 20.7% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.3% | 561 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 440 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.7% | 432 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.1% | 254 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.0% | 196 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.5% | 171 |
| 7 | Steering | 3.4% | 169 |
| 8 | Tyres | 3.2% | 159 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 316 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 205 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 187 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 177 |
| 5 | Washers | 175 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 164 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 32.9% | 1,626 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.3% | 1,402 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 22.9% | 1,135 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.1% | 944 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.1% | 547 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.8% | 438 |
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 | 189 | 25.9% |
| 30-60k | 188 | 14.9% |
| 60-90k | 579 | 16.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,003 | 20.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,174 | 22.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,506 | 20.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,273 | 22.6% |
| 2022 | 1,111 | 21.6% |
| 2023 | 951 | 19.6% |
| 2024 | 854 | 19.4% |
| 2025 | 761 | 21.6% |
What to check before buying a BMW 728i
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Suspension (11.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 reliable is the BMW 728i at MOT time?
78.9% of the 4,950 BMW 728i MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate, worse than the 13.4% average across all 7 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 728i?
Suspension, recorded in 11.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.9%).
Does the 728i get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.9% in the 0-30k band to 20.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,950 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-06. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.