BMW 735 (1990)
1990 BMW 735
CarHunch analysed 436 real MOT records for the 1990 BMW 735. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1990 BMW 735 passes its MOT first time in 72.5% of cases—below the UK average of 80%—which suggests these nearly 35-year-old cars need closer scrutiny before purchase. With 15.1% of vehicles having experienced a dangerous defect, you're looking at a car that demands serious mechanical attention and careful pre-purchase inspection.
These 735s have covered a substantial 144,220 miles on the median, and owners report averaging 1.55 failures per test alongside 6.2 advisories, indicating that while major faults are not universal, minor wear and deterioration are the norm for surviving examples. Before buying, budget for a full pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist—the gap between this car's pass rate and the national average reflects real running costs, not just bad luck.
What to check before buying a 1990 BMW 735
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
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%) | 434 | 72.6% | 1.54 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 57.1% | 6 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 50% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1990 BMW 735 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.
Half of all 1990 BMW 735 vehicles fall between 115,494 and 175,067 miles.
1990 BMW 735 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 17 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (43% of peak).
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 1990 BMW 735
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
35.8%
Oil leak
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35.7%
Fuel pipe/s corroded
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21.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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20.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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18.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17.5%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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17.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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15.8%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1990. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 735?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.