BMW 730

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 25 model years from 21,980 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

86%

Total Tests

21,980

Highest Pass Rate

2021 (98%)

Years Covered

About the BMW 730

The BMW 730 was MOT tested 21,980 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 25 model years (1990 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 86%. That's slightly above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 98% from 243 tests. The 2006 model has the lowest at 81%. With a 17 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 730s 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 (1990) averages 129,365 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 41,849 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2993cc)

£1,676

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,131

Per month£178/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 2021 details

How reliable is the BMW 730?

vs average of all models+4% (82% avg)

vs BMW brand average-2% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread17 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

BMW 730 by Year

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

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	98%	243	41,849 mi
2020	95%	1,033	41,493 mi
2019	95%	1,966	55,627 mi
2018	95%	1,592	67,232 mi
2017	94%	1,696	76,335 mi
2016	91%	2,288	88,853 mi
2015	89%	1,345	91,832 mi
2014	89%	1,656	97,859 mi
2013	89%	875	110,696 mi
2012	88%	1,119	115,118 mi
2011	86%	1,467	119,035 mi
2010	89%	991	128,302 mi
2009	88%	806	130,274 mi
2008	82%	1,043	138,734 mi
2007	85%	927	142,639 mi
2006	81%	1,315	141,407 mi
2005	83%	694	150,286 mi
2004	83%	322	132,666 mi
2003	88%	277	139,746 mi
1995	70%	96	129,643 mi
1994	86%	70	106,349 mi
1993	68%	37	128,018 mi
1992	81%	31	126,198 mi
1991	76%	34	141,732 mi
1990	82%	57	129,365 mi

Questions about the BMW 730

Is the BMW 730 reliable?

Across its 25 model years in our data (1990 to 2021), the BMW 730 averages an 86% MOT pass rate, from 21,980 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 4 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2021 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 98%.

Which year BMW 730 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 BMW 730 has the highest MOT pass rate at 98%, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 81%, a 17 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.