Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 BMW 735?

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 1998 BMW 735?

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 1998 BMW 735?

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.

How many 1998 BMW 735 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

23% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1998 BMW 735 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 487 vehicles, the 1998 BMW 735 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1998 BMW 735?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 BMW 735 are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (64.1% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (61.8% of vehicles), Oil leak (56.4% 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 1998 BMW 735?

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 (1998)

487 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.5% first-time pass rate

1998 BMW 735

CarHunch analysed 487 real MOT records for the 1998 BMW 735. 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

Moderate sample. 487 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 1998 BMW 735 falls notably short of the UK average, with a 72.5% first-time pass rate compared to 80%, and nearly a quarter of these cars (23%) have recorded dangerous defects—a serious red flag for prospective buyers. This older luxury saloon presents genuine reliability concerns that go beyond typical age-related wear.

At 117,000 miles median mileage, these examples have covered typical distances for their age, but they're averaging 3.21 failures and 13.8 advisories per test, suggesting systemic issues rather than isolated problems. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the cooling system, suspension, and electrical components, since these cars are showing consistent patterns of failure across the cohort.

The 1998 BMW 735 has a below-average first-time pass rate (72.5% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ 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

72.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

23%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.21

Over 10.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

117k

Middle half: 94k–141k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 13.8 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 487 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 487 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 64.1%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside 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.

Other issues 56.4%

Oil leak · Oil leak, but not excessive · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · …

Brake wear 24.3%

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

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

Wipers & washers 20.2%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 487 BMW 735 cars.

Before you buy a 1998 BMW 735

Based on MOT data from 487 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23% 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%)	481	72.6%	3.2

Colour Breakdown

Based on 5,660 BMW 735 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 27.1%

1,535

Silver 20.6%

1,166

Green 12.3%

695

Black 12.1%

683

Grey 11.4%

648

Red 7.9%

449

White 3.5%

196

Bronze 2.1%

121

Beige 1.8%

100

Gold 0.5%

Purple 0.4%

Maroon 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 BMW 735 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.

117,303

typical

94,441

low mileage

141,129

high mileage

Half of all 1998 BMW 735 vehicles fall between 94,441 and 141,129 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 94,441 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.

✓ 94,441–141,129 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 BMW 735s sit.

⚠ Over 190,524 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 BMW 735 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 22% of 1998 BMW 735s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 37 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (22% of peak).

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

10.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.21

Avg failures per vehicle

13.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW 735: All 735 years → Which year to buy? →

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Buyer beware — pass it on