1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 BMW 7 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

256 MOT tests in 2024. 71.9% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

111Well above average
Passed first time71.9%
Failed or needed repairs28.1%
Typical mileage at test127,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 256 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded3.9%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.5%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.7%
  4. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.0%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.0%
  6. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.0%
  7. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.0%
  8. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced1.6%
  9. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.6%
  10. Flexible brake hoses: excessively deteriorated1.6%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension18.0%
  2. Brakes14.1%
  3. Lights & electrics10.5%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.6%
  5. Emissions & leaks8.2%
  6. Seat belts & airbags3.9%
  7. Body & chassis3.5%
  8. Tyres2.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine20.3%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded17.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.7%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.6%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 BMW 7 Series?

In 2024, 71.9% of 1998 BMW 7 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 256 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 BMW 7 Series?

The most common failure reasons were rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 1998 BMW 7 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 111, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).