BMW 745i — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 745i recorded a 78.3% MOT pass rate across 1,699 tests in this dataset (model years 1984–2021), with suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes its most common failure areas. Its 21.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 751 | 79.1% | 20.9% |
| 2003 | 527 | 77.8% | 22.2% |
| 2004 | 322 | 77.3% | 22.7% |
| 2005 | 45 | 80.0% | 20.0% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.5% | 161 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 155 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.2% | 123 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 97 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.4% | 92 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.2% | 88 |
| 7 | Visibility | 4.5% | 76 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.4% | 23 |
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 | 88 |
| 2 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 79 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 78 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 62 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 60 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 55 |
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 | 31.8% | 541 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.6% | 469 |
| 3 | Brakes | 27.1% | 460 |
| 4 | Suspension | 26.0% | 442 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 188 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.3% | 141 |
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 | 55 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 132 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 331 | 20.8% |
| 90-120k | 500 | 20.8% |
| 120-150k | 410 | 21.2% |
| 150k+ | 264 | 29.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 493 | 24.5% |
| 2022 | 396 | 22.0% |
| 2023 | 321 | 18.4% |
| 2024 | 271 | 21.0% |
| 2025 | 218 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a BMW 745i
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Suspension (9.5% 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 (9.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.2% 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 745i at MOT time?
78.3% of the 1,699 BMW 745i MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.7% fail rate, worse than the 13.4% average across all 7 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 745i?
Suspension, recorded in 9.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.1%).
Does the 745i get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 29.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,699 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.