BMW 730 (2008)

1,060 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.6% first-time pass rate

2008 BMW 730

CarHunch analysed 1,060 real MOT records for the 2008 BMW 730. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Below average reliability 2.6% above UK average
82.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
94,486
typical mileage
73,273–118,656 middle half
32.1%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.71
avg MOT failures per car
over 14.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2008 BMW 730

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 32.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a BMW 730

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (98%) 1,035 82.5% 2.72
Petrol (2%) 25 85.1% 2.36

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 BMW 730 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

73,273
low mileage
94,486
typical
118,656
high mileage

Half of all 2008 BMW 730 vehicles fall between 73,273 and 118,656 miles.

2008 BMW 730 — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 410 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (44% of peak).

937 410 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

14.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.71
Avg failures per vehicle
15.5
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2008 BMW 730

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 70.8%
    Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  • 65.2%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 64.3%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 63.8%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 54.2%
    Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
  • 36.3%
    Oil leak
  • 34.9%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 34%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific BMW 730?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — BMW 730:

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020