Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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 1998 BMW 740 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

21% 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 740 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 593 vehicles, the 1998 BMW 740 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.1%, 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 740?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1998 BMW 740 are: Oil leak (65.4% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (59.6% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (57.6% 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 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.

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BMW 740 (1998)

593 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.1% first-time pass rate

1998 BMW 740

CarHunch analysed 593 real MOT records for the 1998 BMW 740. 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

The 1998 BMW 740 passes its MOT first time in just 74.1% of cases, which is notably below the UK average of 80%—and one in five of these cars has recorded a dangerous defect at some point, making this a reliability concern for buyers. With an average of 3.04 failures per test and 14.0 advisories, owners should expect regular remedial work and developing issues.

At 118,233 miles on average, these cars are showing their age after 26 years, and the high advisory count suggests significant wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problems. If you're seriously considering one, budget for specialist maintenance and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension, cooling, and electrical systems—the bread-and-butter failure points on high-mileage German luxury cars.

The 1998 BMW 740 has a below-average first-time pass rate (74.1% 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

74.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

20.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.04

Over 11 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

116k

Middle half: 94k–140k

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 14 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 593 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 593 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 65.4%

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

Tyre wear 59.6%

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.

Brake wear 25.1%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

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

Wipers & washers 19.5%

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 593 BMW 740 cars.

Before you buy a 1998 BMW 740

Based on MOT data from 593 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 20.9% 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%)	586	74.2%	3.02

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 1998 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.

115,747

typical

94,003

low mileage

140,186

high mileage

Half of all 1998 BMW 740 vehicles fall between 94,003 and 140,186 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 94,003 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.

✓ 94,003–140,186 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 BMW 740s sit.

⚠ Over 189,251 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 740 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 31% of 1998 BMW 740s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 62 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (31% 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

3.04

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Buyer beware — pass it on