BMW

BMW 730 (2014)

836 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.3% first-time pass rate

2014 BMW 730

CarHunch analysed 836 real MOT records for the 2014 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 Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2014 BMW 730 passes its MOT first time at 87.3%, which is well above the UK average of 80%, suggesting this is a fundamentally reliable executive saloon. However, nearly 40% of vehicles in this cohort have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a significant concern for potential buyers and warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

At around 68,000 miles median, these cars have covered relatively modest distances for a decade-old model, which partly explains the strong pass rate. The average vehicle still picks up 1.4 failures and 7.3 advisories per test, pointing to age-related wear—particularly on suspension, brakes, and electronics—so budget for maintenance and ask any prospective seller for full service history before committing.

The 2014 BMW 730 has a decent first-time pass rate (87.3%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 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
87.3%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
39.7%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
1.39
Over 9.8 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
69k
Middle half: 50k–90k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 87.3% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 7.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 836 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 836 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 41.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 34.5%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Other issues 16.4%
Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Oil leak, but not excessive
Suspension & steering 7%
Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2014.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 836 BMW 730 cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2014 BMW 730

Based on MOT data from 836 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 39.7% 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (100%) 835 87.3% 1.39

Colour Breakdown

Based on 21,623 BMW 730 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 32.7%
7,071
Grey 19.6%
4,233
Silver 18.3%
3,949
Blue 13.9%
3,014
White 6.1%
1,315
Green 3.8%
828
Red 3.5%
757
Beige 0.6%
130
Bronze 0.5%
114
Gold 0.4%
96
Yellow 0.3%
72
Brown 0.2%
44

Mileage Distribution

Most 2014 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.

68,575
typical
50,337
low mileage
89,632
high mileage

Half of all 2014 BMW 730 vehicles fall between 50,337 and 89,632 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 50,337 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.
50,337–89,632 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2014 BMW 730s sit.
Over 121,003 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2014 BMW 730 — Still on the Road

Most 2014 BMW 730s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 640 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 80% of the peak.

91 640 2016 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

9.8
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.39
Avg failures per vehicle
7.3
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — BMW 730: All 730 years → Which year to buy? →
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Compare with another model

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Watch for defects — worth knowing