BMW 735i — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 735i passed 78.6% of its 3,025 MOT tests, covering model years 1980–2019. That is 8.0 percentage points worse than the 13.4% fail rate across all BMW 7 Series versions, so the 735i is a weaker pick within the range. Failures concentrate in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, washers and ball joint — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 146 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.6% versus 27.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: emissions & environmental was flagged on 29.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.0% in 2021 to 18.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 41 | 82.9% | 17.1% |
| 1988 | 117 | 78.6% | 21.4% |
| 1989 | 134 | 81.3% | 18.7% |
| 1990 | 124 | 81.5% | 18.6% |
| 1991 | 53 | 81.1% | 18.9% |
| 1992 | 38 | 86.8% | 13.2% |
| 1996 | 191 | 76.4% | 23.6% |
| 1997 | 198 | 81.8% | 18.2% |
| 1998 | 273 | 76.6% | 23.4% |
| 1999 | 327 | 82.6% | 17.4% |
| 2000 | 375 | 77.6% | 22.4% |
| 2001 | 272 | 77.2% | 22.8% |
| 2002 | 360 | 77.5% | 22.5% |
| 2003 | 273 | 73.6% | 26.4% |
| 2004 | 98 | 75.5% | 24.5% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.0% | 303 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 300 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.3% | 222 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.9% | 180 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 147 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.6% | 110 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.5% | 107 |
| 8 | Tyres | 2.9% | 89 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 146 |
| 2 | Washers | 138 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 128 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 124 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 115 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 89 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 29.3% | 885 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.2% | 883 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.3% | 795 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.5% | 589 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.6% | 321 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 221 |
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 | 79 | 27.9% |
| 30-60k | 254 | 13.0% |
| 60-90k | 506 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 685 | 20.2% |
| 120-150k | 751 | 22.4% |
| 150k+ | 644 | 23.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 737 | 21.0% |
| 2022 | 682 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 601 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 549 | 24.2% |
| 2025 | 456 | 18.4% |
What to check before buying a BMW 735i
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Suspension (10.0% 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 (9.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.3% 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 735i at MOT time?
78.6% of the 3,025 BMW 735i MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.4% fail rate, worse than the 13.4% average across all 7 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 735i?
Suspension, recorded in 10.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.9%).
Does the 735i get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.9% in the 0-30k band to 23.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,025 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.