Is the Bmw 740 reliable?

The Bmw 740 has an average MOT pass rate of 88% across 24 years, based on 8,356 tests in 2026. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2020 with a 97% pass rate.

Which year Bmw 740 is best?

The 2020 Bmw 740 has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 72%. There's a 25 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Bmw 740

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 24 years from 8,356 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

88%

Total Tests

8,356

Best Year

2020 (97%)

Years Covered

About the Bmw 740

The Bmw 740 has been tested 8,356 times in 2026 MOT data across 24 model years (1994 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 88%. That's comfortably above the national average of 82%, making it a reliable choice. Available as diesel and petrol and hybrid.

Best and Worst Years

The 2020 model is the most reliable with a 97% pass rate from 715 tests. The 1995 model has the lowest at 72%. With a 25 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 740s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1994) averages 128,943 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 36,282 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2998cc)

£1,592

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,042

Per month£170/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Bmw 740?

vs national average+6% (82% avg)

vs Bmw brand average+0% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread25 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Bmw 740 by Year

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

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	97%	253	36,282 mi
2020	97%	715	40,432 mi
2019	95%	1,241	53,056 mi
2018	93%	1,442	62,534 mi
2017	91%	951	71,078 mi
2016	94%	1,203	76,827 mi
2015	92%	317	68,035 mi
2014	91%	214	86,689 mi
2013	90%	138	97,147 mi
2012	90%	120	106,102 mi
2011	87%	160	113,817 mi
2010	89%	179	106,897 mi
2009	85%	216	114,608 mi
2008	88%	41	87,993 mi
2006	86%	57	102,858 mi
2005	84%	56	99,566 mi
2001	85%	98	128,466 mi
2000	85%	131	118,861 mi
1999	86%	174	130,186 mi
1998	85%	176	127,512 mi
1997	77%	160	123,204 mi
1996	88%	133	135,364 mi
1995	72%	126	144,068 mi
1994	76%	55	128,943 mi