2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 BMW 7 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

275 MOT tests in 2024. 76.4% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

133Well above average
Passed first time76.4%
Failed or needed repairs23.6%
Typical mileage at test131,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 275 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault7.3%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.3%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.5%
  4. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.2%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.8%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.8%
  7. Side repeaters: not working1.5%
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
    8 marked dangerous
  9. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.5%
    6 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension11.3%
  2. Brakes11.3%
  3. Lights & electrics8.7%
  4. Seat belts & airbags7.3%
  5. Emissions & leaks5.1%
  6. Tyres4.7%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.7%
  8. Body & chassis1.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine19.6%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.9%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn15.6%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.7%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn9.5%

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 2003 BMW 7 Series?

In 2024, 76.4% of 2003 BMW 7 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 275 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 BMW 7 Series?

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

Is the 2003 BMW 7 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 133, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).