BMW 7 Series (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 1,291 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,413

£201/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

2998cc Hybrid

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £2,413/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Hybrid2998cc5 years old1,291 tests39k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 2998cc)

~30 mpg (petrol-engine estimate; hybrids usually use less)

£1,958

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,413

Per month£201/mo

Per week£46/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

94% of MOT tests on BMW 7 Seriess from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 1,291 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 39,366 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models1126th of 3,336(top half)

Rank among BMW models251st of 1,548(top 17%)

vs average of all models+12%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average+2%(92% avg)

vs BMW average+6%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

39,366

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 BMW 7 Series had 39,366 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 2013 model has the lowest at 83%. The 2021 scores 94%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Toyota RAV4

2020 · 2500cc Hybrid

£2,413/year

95%

+1%

BMW X5 XDRIVE45E M Sport Auto

2021 · 2998cc Hybrid

£2,563/year

88%

-6%

BMW M340I Xdrive MHEV Auto

2021 · 2998cc Hybrid

£2,413/year

93%

-1%

Lexus RX

2019 · 3456cc Hybrid

£2,413/year

96%

+2%

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About the 2021 BMW 7 Series

The 2021 BMW 7 Series is a premium performance car. Our records list a 2998cc hybrid engine, though engines vary between versions. 1,291 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 39,366 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 7 Series owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2021 BMW 7 Series Fuel Costs

The 2998cc hybrid engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Our estimate uses around 30 mpg, the figure for a petrol engine of this size, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid it should use less than that, and real-world fuel costs depend a lot on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2021 BMW 7 Series?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,413 (£201/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 7 Series 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.

Buying a Used 2021 BMW 7 Series

At 5 years old, the BMW 7 Series offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 95%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Hybrid Battery Health

Medium risk

After 5 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

Low 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.

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 2021 BMW 7 Series stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
BMW 7 Series(2021)	94%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413
Toyota RAV4(2020)	95%	£1,958	£200	Grp 25-38	£2,413same
BMW X5 XDRIVE45E M Sport Auto(2021)	88%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,563+£150
BMW M340I Xdrive MHEV Auto(2021)	93%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413same
Lexus RX(2019)	96%	£1,958	£200	Grp 35-50	£2,413same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2021 BMW 7 Series

Is the 2021 BMW 7 Series reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2021 BMW 7 Seriess ended in a pass, from 1,291 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 BMW 7 Series cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,413 a year (£201 a month): £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 BMW 7 Series?

94% of 1,291 MOT tests on the 2021 BMW 7 Series ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1126th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top half).

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% and the 2013 the lowest at 83%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 BMW 7 Series?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 BMW 7 Series is 39,366 miles, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.