BMW 735 (2003)
2003 BMW 735
CarHunch analysed 253 real MOT records for the 2003 BMW 735. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 BMW 735 passes its MOT at 80.6%, matching the UK average almost exactly, but one in five of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a real concern for buyers given the sedan's age and complexity. The petrol version shows a solid 80.8% pass rate, which is reassuring for reliability.
At 85,600 miles on average, these cars have covered roughly what you'd expect for their age, yet they're racking up 3 failures and nearly 16 advisories per test on average—considerably higher than newer stock and a sign that ownership costs are climbing. Budget for regular maintenance and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension, brakes, and electrics before committing to one of these machines.
What to check before buying a 2003 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.
- ⚠️ 20.2% 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 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 (98%) | 248 | 80.8% | 3.02 |
| LPG (2%) | 4 | 71.5% | 3.25 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 76.2% | 5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 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 2003 BMW 735 vehicles fall between 64,550 and 105,789 miles.
2003 BMW 735 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 30 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (19% 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 — 2003 BMW 735
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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82.3%
Oil leak
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79.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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78.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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47.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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47.3%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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43%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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42.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37.1%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. 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.