How much does a 1998 BMW 728 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 BMW 728?

The 1998 BMW 728 has a 81% MOT pass rate based on 317 tests in 2026. This ranks 85 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year BMW 728 is most reliable?

The 1996 BMW 728 has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 78%.

BMW 728 (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 BMW 728 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 81% of BMW 728s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 317 tests. That's 1 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 BMW 728?

The average mileage for a 1998 BMW 728 is 134,101 miles, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 317 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2793cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2427/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol2793cc28 years old317 tests134k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2793cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2793cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,427

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/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

81% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 28 years old, 81% of BMW 728s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 317 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 134,101 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars85th of 340(top 25%)

Rank among BMW models1316th of 1,564(top 84%)

vs national average-1%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+6%(75% avg)

vs BMW average-7%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

134,101

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 BMW 728 has 134,101 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1996 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 78%. The 1998 sits between the two at 81%.

BMW 728 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2001	84%	329	137,562 mi
2000	83%	326	131,357 mi
1999	83%	453	134,511 mi
1998	81%	317	134,101 mi
1997	78%	315	132,213 mi
1996	89%	126	131,038 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-14%

BMW Z3

1999 · 3201cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-3%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-3%

MERCEDES SLK

1999 · 2298cc Petrol

£2,397/year

79%

-2%

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About the 1998 BMW 728

The 1998 BMW 728 is a premium performance with a 2793cc petrol engine. 317 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 25% of all 1998 cars for reliability.

With an average of 134,101 miles at 28 years old, BMW 728 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 BMW 728 Fuel Costs

The 2793cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1998 BMW 728?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 728 Reliability Trend

The BMW 728 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 BMW 728

At 28 years old, the BMW 728 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 1996 model has the highest pass rate at 89%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 BMW 728's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 28 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 134k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

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 1998 BMW 728 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 728(1998)	81%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2427
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£170
BMW Z3(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£30
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£30
MERCEDES SLK(1999)	79%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397-£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.