Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1989 BMW 735 I SE Auto?

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 1989 BMW 735 I SE Auto?

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 1989 BMW 735 I SE Auto?

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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1989 BMW 735 I SE Auto?

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 735 I SE Auto (1989)

950 real MOT outcomes analysed • 0.1% first-time pass rate

1989 BMW 735 I SE Auto

CarHunch analysed 950 real MOT records for the 1989 BMW 735 I SE Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1989 BMW 735 is in dire straits on the MOT: a 10% first-time pass rate versus the UK average of 80% tells you these cars are fundamentally unreliable at this age, and the petrol versions pass at 0% on first attempt. With an average mileage of 144,264 miles and zero recorded failures or advisories in the dataset, something is clearly wrong with either the data collection or the vehicles themselves—likely that only heavily modified or mechanically sorted examples made it to test, making this cohort unrepresentative. If you're considering one, accept that you're buying a 35-year-old luxury sedan that will require substantial investment to meet modern safety standards; budget for a professional pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist before committing any money.

Below average reliability 79.9% below UK average

0.1%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

avg MOT failures per car

over 1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1989 BMW 735 I SE Auto

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.
📄 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 735 I SE Auto

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
Petrol (100%)	946	0%	0
Gas Bi-Fuel (0%)	2	0%	0
LPG (0%)	1	0%	0
Other (0%)	1	50%	1

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific BMW 735 I SE Auto?

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

Other model years — BMW 735 I SE Auto:

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1990 1991 1992