2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 BMW 7 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

157 MOT tests in 2024. 70.7% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

122Well above average
Passed first time70.7%
Failed or needed repairs29.3%
Typical mileage at test111,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 157 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault7.0%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.1%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.2%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%
  6. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.2%
  7. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.5%
  8. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.5%
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.9%
  10. Anti-roll bars - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension19.7%
  2. Emissions & leaks11.5%
  3. Lights & electrics10.8%
  4. Brakes8.3%
  5. Seat belts & airbags7.6%
  6. Tyres6.4%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.1%
  8. Steering3.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine29.9%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.0%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.1%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded10.2%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.3%

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: srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault. 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 2002 BMW 7 Series?

In 2024, 70.7% of 2002 BMW 7 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 157 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 BMW 7 Series?

The most common failure reasons were srs malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2002 BMW 7 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 122, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).