BMW 7 Series

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 21 model years from 8,633 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

88%

Total Tests

8,633

Highest Pass Rate

2020 (95%)

Years Covered

About the BMW 7 Series

The BMW 7 Series was MOT tested 8,633 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 21 model years (1996 to 2022), with an average pass rate of 88%. That's comfortably above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list hybrid and diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 95% from 872 tests. The 2013 model has the lowest at 83%. The 12 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 7 Seriess pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 7 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1996) averages 91,838 miles, while the newest (2022) averages 39,598 miles.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 2998cc)

£1,958

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,413

Per month£201/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2022 details

How reliable is the BMW 7 Series?

vs average of all models+6% (82% avg)

vs BMW brand average+0% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread12 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

BMW 7 Series by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	96%	296	39,598 mi
2021	94%	1,291	39,366 mi
2020	95%	872	41,603 mi
2019	93%	1,286	52,159 mi
2018	93%	933	64,053 mi
2017	92%	1,120	69,846 mi
2016	95%	325	69,801 mi
2015	81%	48	109,543 mi
2014	85%	144	126,469 mi
2013	83%	655	103,469 mi
2012	89%	610	108,621 mi
2011	84%	190	123,094 mi
2010	84%	143	125,285 mi
2009	84%	159	126,518 mi
2008	85%	124	140,762 mi
2007	84%	98	149,702 mi
2006	86%	156	156,601 mi
2005	81%	77	125,512 mi
1998	76%	33	129,863 mi
1997	86%	35	129,857 mi
1996	95%	38	91,838 mi

Questions about the BMW 7 Series

Is the BMW 7 Series reliable?

Across its 21 model years in our data (1996 to 2022), the BMW 7 Series averages an 88% MOT pass rate, from 8,633 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2020 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 95%.

Which year BMW 7 Series has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 BMW 7 Series has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 2013 model has the lowest at 83%, a 12 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.