Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1999 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 1999 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 1999 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 1999 BMW 740 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 1999 BMW 740 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 480 vehicles, the 1999 BMW 740 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1999 BMW 740?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1999 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 1999 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 (1999)

480 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.3% first-time pass rate

1999 BMW 740

CarHunch analysed 480 real MOT records for the 1999 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

Moderate sample. 480 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 1999 BMW 740 falls below the UK average with a 75.3% first-time pass rate, and nearly a quarter of these cars (23.3%) have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a genuine concern for a buyer considering one of these 25-year-old luxury saloons. This reliability gap suggests the model demands more rigorous pre-purchase inspection than a typical car of this age.

At around 110,000 miles median, these cars have been reasonably well-used but not thrashed, yet they're averaging three failures per test, which is notably high for vehicles at this mileage run. The 13.9 advisories per car point to accumulated wear across multiple systems—suspension, cooling, and fuel systems are likely culprits on an aging BMW of this generation. Before buying, insist on a full diagnostic scan to identify any historic fault codes and have a specialist assess the cooling system and suspension geometry, as these commonly fail on this model.

The 1999 BMW 740 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (75.3%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ 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

75.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

23.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.01

Over 11.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

110k

Middle half: 89k–131k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 13.9 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 480 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 480 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 1999.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 480 BMW 740 cars.

Before you buy a 1999 BMW 740

Based on MOT data from 480 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23.3% 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%)	473	75.3%	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 1999 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.

109,897

typical

88,621

low mileage

130,542

high mileage

Half of all 1999 BMW 740 vehicles fall between 88,621 and 130,542 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 88,621 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.

✓ 88,621–130,542 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1999 BMW 740s sit.

⚠ Over 176,231 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1999 BMW 740 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 27% of 1999 BMW 740s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 47 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (27% 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

11.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.01

Avg failures per vehicle

13.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Compare with another model

See how the 1999 BMW 740 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?