BMW 735 MOT Failures
An analysis of 1,192 real DVSA MOT tests on the BMW 735 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the BMW 735 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the BMW 735 is brake hoses perished or damaged — this model is 14 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 1,192 MOT tests, 16.61% of all BMW 735 tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include fluid leak (7.2x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (6.5x the fleet average), and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.9x the fleet average). These ratios compare the BMW 735's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 4 categories: Brakes, Exhaust & Emissions, Seatbelts & Airbags, Suspension. If you're inspecting a BMW 735 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The BMW 735's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
The standout failure at this mileage is brake hoses perished or damaged at 14x the fleet average.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the BMW 735 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fluid leak (7.2x the average) and brake hoses perished or damaged (6.7x). seat mounting fault (6.5x) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.9x) also appear frequently.
The shift from brake hoses perished or damaged at lower mileages to fluid leak at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
What to check before buying a BMW 735
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a BMW 735:
Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged. Exhaust & Emissions — check for fluid leak. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Suspension — check for suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific BMW 735?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
BMW 735 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 735?
Based on 1,192 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is brake hoses perished or damaged — at 14x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include fluid leak and seat mounting fault.
Is the BMW 735 reliable based on MOT data?
The BMW 735 has 4 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is brake hoses perished or damaged. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the BMW 735 most commonly fails on fluid leak and brake hoses perished or damaged. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are .
How do I check a BMW 735's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.