Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1995 BMW 740?

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 1995 BMW 740?

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 1995 BMW 740?

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 1995 BMW 740 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

24% 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 1995 BMW 740 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 681 vehicles, the 1995 BMW 740 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 70%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1995 BMW 740?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1995 BMW 740 are: Oil leak (55.1% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (51% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (49.7% 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 1995 BMW 740?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

BMW 740 (1995)

681 real MOT outcomes analysed • 70% first-time pass rate

1995 BMW 740

CarHunch analysed 681 real MOT records for the 1995 BMW 740. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

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 1995 BMW 740 passes its MOT first time just 70% of the time, 10 percentage points below the UK average, and nearly a quarter of these cars (23.9%) have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a serious red flag for buyers. This is a car that will need closer inspection and potentially significant work before purchase.

At 134,000 miles on average, these 740s are high-mileage examples, and the data confirms why: they're failing on average 2.5 items per test with a hefty 9.5 advisories, pointing to worn suspension, cooling systems, and electrical gremlins typical of ageing German luxury cars. Before you commit, budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist and expect ongoing maintenance costs to be substantial.

The 1995 BMW 740 has a below-average first-time pass rate (70% 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

70%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

23.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.5

Over 8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

129k

Middle half: 103k–158k

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 9.5 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 681 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 681 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 55.1%

Oil leak · Fuel pipe/s corroded · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' · …

Tyre wear 51%

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

Brake wear 38.3%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated · …

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

Exhaust & emissions 21.4%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1995.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 681 BMW 740 cars.

Before you buy a 1995 BMW 740

Based on MOT data from 681 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23.9% 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%)	675	70%	2.49

Colour Breakdown

Based on 7,469 BMW 740 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 25.5%

1,907

Blue 22.2%

1,657

Silver 15%

1,121

Grey 14.5%

1,081

Green 11.3%

842

Red 4.9%

363

White 4.6%

345

Purple 0.7%

Yellow 0.4%

Beige 0.4%

Brown 0.3%

Gold 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1995 BMW 740 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.

128,790

typical

103,412

low mileage

157,869

high mileage

Half of all 1995 BMW 740 vehicles fall between 103,412 and 157,869 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 103,412 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.

✓ 103,412–157,869 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1995 BMW 740s sit.

⚠ Over 213,123 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1995 BMW 740 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 24% of 1995 BMW 740s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 28 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (24% 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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.5

Avg failures per vehicle

9.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW 740: All 740 years → Which year to buy? →

1993 1994 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2009 2010 2011 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Or browse all models: BMW →

Compare with another model

See how the 1995 BMW 740 stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on