Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1987 BMW 730?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1987 BMW 730?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1987 BMW 730?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 1987 BMW 730 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 174 vehicles, the 1987 BMW 730 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1987 BMW 730?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1987 BMW 730 are: Oil leak (33.2% of vehicles), Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (23.4% of vehicles), Fuel pipe/s corroded (22.9% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1987 BMW 730?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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BMW 730 (1987)

174 real MOT outcomes analysed • 73.2% first-time pass rate

1987 BMW 730

CarHunch analysed 174 real MOT records for the 1987 BMW 730. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

We have limited data for the 1987 BMW 730 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

73.2%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

14.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.49

Over 4.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

145k

Middle half: 112k–168k

For context

These stats describe 174 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 174 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 33.2%

Oil leak · Fuel pipe/s corroded

Brake wear 23.4%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 20.4%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Lighting 12%

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Exhaust & emissions 10.2%

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases

Wipers & washers 8.5%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 174 BMW 730 cars.

Before you buy a 1987 BMW 730

Based on MOT data from 174 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 14.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	172	73%	1.5

Mileage Distribution

Most 1987 BMW 730 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

144,740

typical

112,422

low mileage

168,299

high mileage

Half of all 1987 BMW 730 vehicles fall between 112,422 and 168,299 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 112,422 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 112,422–168,299 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1987 BMW 730s sit.

⚠ Over 227,203 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1987 BMW 730 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 69% of 1987 BMW 730s are still active.

11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 — 69% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.

MOT History Averages

4.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.49

Avg failures per vehicle

6.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW 730: All 730 years → Which year to buy? →

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Or browse all models: BMW →

Compare with another model

See how the 1987 BMW 730 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on