BMW 740 MOT Failures
An analysis of 4,801 real DVSA MOT tests on the BMW 740 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the BMW 740 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the BMW 740 is any fracture or welding defect on a wheel — this model is 97 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 4,801 MOT tests, 1.34% of all BMW 740 tests recorded this as a failure.
Wheel-related failures include cracked alloys, damaged wheel studs, and bearing play. Listen for rumbling at speed (wheel bearings) and check for any visible cracks around alloy spokes.
Other notable weak points include transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated (61x the fleet average), brake hoses perished or damaged (15x the fleet average), suspension pin, bush or joint worn (17x the fleet average), and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (12x the fleet average). These ratios compare the BMW 740'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: Wheels, Bodywork, Brakes, Suspension. If you're inspecting a BMW 740 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 740'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.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
The standout failure at this mileage is any fracture or welding defect on a wheel at 33x the fleet average.
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.
For the BMW 740 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated (61x the average) and any fracture or welding defect on a wheel (31x). brake hoses perished or damaged (15x) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (12x) also appear frequently.
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 740 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated (36x the average) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (17x). brake hoses perished or damaged (7.2x) and brake hoses perished or damaged also appear frequently.
The shift from any fracture or welding defect on a wheel at lower mileages to transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated 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 740
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a BMW 740:
Wheels — check for any fracture or welding defect on a wheel. Bodywork — check for transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged. Suspension — check for suspension pin, bush or joint worn, 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 740?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
BMW 740 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 740?
Based on 4,801 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is any fracture or welding defect on a wheel — at 97x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated and brake hoses perished or damaged.
Is the BMW 740 reliable based on MOT data?
The BMW 740 has 5 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is any fracture or welding defect on a wheel. 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 740 most commonly fails on transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated and suspension pin, bush or joint worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are any fracture or welding defect on a wheel.
How do I check a BMW 740'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.