CarCostCheck

BMW 730 (1993)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 37 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,777

£231/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2997cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2777/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol2997cc33 years old37 tests128k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2997cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2997cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,777
Per month£231/mo
Per week£53/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

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 33 years old, 68% of BMW 730s from 1993 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 37 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 128,018 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1993 cars159th of 194(top 82%)
Rank among BMW models1555th of 1,564(top 99%)
vs national average-14%(82% avg)
vs 1993 cars average-8%(76% avg)
vs BMW average-20%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

128,018

Average miles

vs

244,200

Expected for age

The average 1993 BMW 730 has 128,018 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-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 2021 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 70%. The 1993 sits between the two at 68%.

BMW 730 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202198%24341,849 mi
202095%1,03341,493 mi
201995%1,96655,627 mi
201895%1,59267,232 mi
201794%1,69676,335 mi
201691%2,28888,853 mi
201589%1,34591,832 mi
201489%1,65697,859 mi
201389%875110,696 mi
201288%1,119115,118 mi
201186%1,467119,035 mi
201089%991128,302 mi
200988%806130,274 mi
200882%1,043138,734 mi
200785%927142,639 mi
200681%1,315141,407 mi
200583%694150,286 mi
200483%322132,666 mi
200388%277139,746 mi
199570%96129,643 mi
199486%70106,349 mi
199368%37128,018 mi
199281%31126,198 mi
199176%34141,732 mi
199082%57129,365 mi

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About the 1993 BMW 730

The 1993 BMW 730 is a premium performance with a 2997cc petrol engine. 37 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 82% of 1993 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 128,018 miles at 33 years old, BMW 730 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1993 BMW 730 Fuel Costs

The 2997cc 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 1993 BMW 730?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,777 231/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

BMW 730 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 730s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 8 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1993 BMW 730

At 33 years old, the BMW 730 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 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. Note: with only 37 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1993 BMW 730's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 33 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 128k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1993 BMW 730 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
BMW 730(1993)68%£1592£430Grp 30-42£2777
BMW 3 SERIES(1995)80%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2247-£530
MERCEDES 300(1992)83%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2247-£530
PORSCHE 911(1991)91%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2097-£680
VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO(1995)85%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2247-£530

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.

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Related Guides

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