Is the 2016 BMW 7 SERIES reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 95% of BMW 7 SERIESs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 325 tests. That's 13 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2016 BMW 7 SERIES cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 BMW 7 SERIES?

The 2016 BMW 7 SERIES has a 95% MOT pass rate based on 325 tests in 2026. This ranks 80 out of 586 cars from 2016.

Which year BMW 7 SERIES is most reliable?

The 2022 BMW 7 SERIES has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%. The least reliable year is 2005 at 81%.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 BMW 7 SERIES?

The average mileage for a 2016 BMW 7 SERIES is 69,801 miles, which is in line with the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

BMW 7 SERIES (2016)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 325 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,897

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

95%

Excellent

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Hybrid

Great Choice

95% pass rate, £1897/year to run. 13 points above average.

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Hybrid1998cc10 years old325 tests70k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,897

Per month£158/mo

Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

95% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 13 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 10 years old, 95% of BMW 7 SERIESs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 325 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 69,801 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars80th of 586(top 14%)

Rank among BMW models191th of 1,564(top 12%)

vs national average+13%(82% avg)

vs 2016 cars average+10%(85% avg)

vs BMW average+7%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

69,801

Average miles

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 BMW 7 SERIES has 69,801 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 81%. The 2016 sits between the two at 95%.

BMW 7 SERIES by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

MERCEDES C

2017 · 1991cc Hybrid

£1,922/year

89%

-6%

TOYOTA C-HR

2018 · 1797cc Hybrid

£1,772/year

90%

-5%

TOYOTA AURIS

2015 · 1798cc Hybrid

£1,867/year

87%

-8%

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

2015 · 1998cc Hybrid

£1,867/year

83%

-12%

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About the 2016 BMW 7 SERIES

The 2016 BMW 7 SERIES is a premium with a 1998cc hybrid engine. 325 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 14% of all 2016 cars for reliability.

With an average of 69,801 miles at 10 years old, BMW 7 SERIES owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2016 BMW 7 SERIES Fuel Costs

The 1998cc hybrid engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current hybrid prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid, real-world fuel costs will vary significantly depending on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2016 BMW 7 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 95% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 7 SERIES Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 7 SERIESs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2016 BMW 7 SERIES

At 10 years old, the BMW 7 SERIES is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 96%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 BMW 7 SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Hybrid Battery Health

Watch out

After 10 years, hybrid battery capacity may have reduced. A full replacement costs £2,000-£4,000, though reconditioning is cheaper at £500-£1,500.

Inverter and Power Electronics

Medium risk

The inverter converts DC to AC for the electric motor. Failures are expensive (£1,500+) but relatively rare. Listen for unusual buzzing sounds.

Regenerative Braking

Medium risk

Brake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2016 BMW 7 SERIES stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 7 SERIES(2016)	95%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£1897
MERCEDES C(2017)	89%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1922+£25
TOYOTA C-HR(2018)	90%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772-£125
TOYOTA AURIS(2015)	87%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£30
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER(2015)	83%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£30

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.