BMW 760i — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 760i passed 83.3% of its 1,218 MOT tests, covering model years 2000–2024. That is 3.4 percentage points worse than the 13.4% fail rate across all BMW 7 Series versions, so the 760i is a weaker pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and washers — pins and bushes alone was recorded 37 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 15.8% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 19.2% in 2021 to 13.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 217 | 77.4% | 22.6% |
| 2004 | 133 | 77.4% | 22.6% |
| 2005 | 121 | 83.5% | 16.5% |
| 2006 | 104 | 87.5% | 12.5% |
| 2007 | 88 | 86.4% | 13.6% |
| 2008 | 60 | 86.7% | 13.3% |
| 2010 | 102 | 84.3% | 15.7% |
| 2011 | 59 | 89.8% | 10.2% |
| 2013 | 67 | 91.0% | 9.0% |
| 2014 | 112 | 80.4% | 19.6% |
| 2015 | 60 | 81.7% | 18.3% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.0% | 73 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.8% | 70 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 58 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.5% | 55 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 42 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 34 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.7% | 21 |
| 8 | Road wheels | 1.3% | 16 |
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 | 37 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 29 |
| 3 | Washers | 28 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 26 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 26 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 21 |
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 | 20.8% | 253 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.9% | 230 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 14.8% | 180 |
| 4 | Suspension | 13.6% | 166 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.7% | 57 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 46 |
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 | 83 | 8.4% |
| 30-60k | 249 | 15.3% |
| 60-90k | 283 | 16.3% |
| 90-120k | 319 | 20.1% |
| 120-150k | 189 | 18.0% |
| 150k+ | 95 | 15.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 266 | 19.2% |
| 2022 | 271 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 233 | 18.0% |
| 2024 | 223 | 16.1% |
| 2025 | 225 | 13.8% |
What to check before buying a BMW 760i
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- 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 (5.8% 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 (4.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 reliable is the BMW 760i at MOT time?
83.3% of the 1,218 BMW 760i MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.8% fail rate, worse than the 13.4% average across all 7 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 760i?
Tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by suspension (5.8%).
Does the 760i get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.4% in the 0-30k band to 15.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,218 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.