CarCostCheck

BMW 740 (2018)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 1,442 real MOT tests in 2024.

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MOT Pass Rate

93%

Total Tests (2024)

1,442

Avg Mileage

62,534 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£1,690

Is the 2018 BMW 740 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 6 years old, 93% of BMW 740s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 1,442 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 62,534 miles.

How does the 2018 BMW 740 compare?

Rank among all 2018 cars185th out of 649(top 29%)
Rank among all BMW models359th out of 1,564(top 23%)
vs national average+11% (82% avg)
vs 2018 cars average+4% (89% avg)
vs BMW average+5% (88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 2018 BMW 740 has 62,534 miles on the clock, which is above the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

Best year to buy a BMW 740?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 72%. The 2018 sits between the two at 93%.

How much does a 2018 BMW 740 cost to run?

⛽Fuel (Diesel, 2933cc)
£1,245
🏛️Road Tax
£190
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£200
Total per year£1,690
Per month£141/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

BMW 740 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202197%25336,282 mi
202097%71540,432 mi
201995%1,24153,056 mi
201893%1,44262,534 mi
201791%95171,078 mi
201694%1,20376,827 mi
201592%31768,035 mi
201491%21486,689 mi
201390%13897,147 mi
201290%120106,102 mi
201187%160113,817 mi
201089%179106,897 mi
200985%216114,608 mi
200888%4187,993 mi
200686%57102,858 mi
200584%5699,566 mi
200185%98128,466 mi
200085%131118,861 mi
199986%174130,186 mi
199885%176127,512 mi
199777%160123,204 mi
199688%133135,364 mi
199572%126144,068 mi
199476%55128,943 mi

Checking a specific BMW 740?

Enter the reg plate to see its individual MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

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About the 2018 BMW 740

The 2018 BMW 740 is a premium performance with a 2933cc diesel engine. 1,442 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 62,534 miles at 6 years old, BMW 740 owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2018 BMW 740 Fuel Costs

The 2933cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2018 BMW 740?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,690 (£141/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £190 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 740 Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2018 BMW 740

At 6 years old, the BMW 740 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 97%.

Alternatives to the 2018 BMW 740

The BMW 740 is actually the most reliable option among similar diesel premium performances from this era. Here are comparable diesel cars with similar engines: