BMW 745 MOT Failures
An analysis of 1,732 real DVSA MOT tests on the BMW 745 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the BMW 745 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the BMW 745 is light unit fault — this model is 13 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 1,732 MOT tests, 8.29% of all BMW 745 tests recorded this as a failure.
Other notable weak points include brake hoses perished or damaged (12x the fleet average), suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (10x the fleet average), tyre seriously damaged (7.8x the fleet average), and anti-roll bar links worn (5.8x the fleet average). These ratios compare the BMW 745'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: Seatbelts & Airbags, Brakes, Suspension, Tyres. If you're inspecting a BMW 745 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 745'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.
For the BMW 745 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (13x the average) and brake hoses perished or damaged (12x). suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (10x) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated 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 745 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (9.2x the average) and tyre seriously damaged (7.8x). brake hoses perished or damaged (7.2x) and anti-roll bar links worn (5.8x) also appear frequently.
What to check before buying a BMW 745
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a BMW 745:
Seatbelts & Airbags — check for light unit fault. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged. Suspension — check for suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, anti-roll bar links worn. Tyres — check for tyre seriously damaged.
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 745?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
BMW 745 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 745?
Based on 1,732 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is light unit fault — at 13x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include brake hoses perished or damaged and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated.
Is the BMW 745 reliable based on MOT data?
The BMW 745 has 5 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is light unit fault. 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 745 most commonly fails on light unit fault and tyre seriously damaged. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are .
How do I check a BMW 745'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.