2010 · 14 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2010 BMW 7 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

639 MOT tests in 2024. 80.9% passed first time, compared with 59.6% for all cars the same age.

136Well above average
Passed first time80.9%
Failed or needed repairs19.1%
Typical mileage at test125,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 639 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.6%
  2. Position lamp: not working1.6%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.6%
  4. Road Wheels - condition: fractured1.4%
    11 marked dangerous
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
    13 marked dangerous
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.3%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
    10 marked dangerous
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.9%
  9. Headlamp aim: too high0.9%
  10. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension8.9%
  2. Lights & electrics6.9%
  3. Tyres4.9%
  4. Brakes3.3%
  5. Emissions & leaks3.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.3%
  7. Wheels2.2%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.6%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine16.3%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn7.7%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.0%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak6.3%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2010 BMW 7 Series?

In 2024, 80.9% of 2010 BMW 7 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 639 tests. The average for all 14-year-old cars was 59.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2010 BMW 7 Series?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; position lamp: not working; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2010 BMW 7 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 136, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).