BMW 740 (2015)
2015 BMW 740
CarHunch analysed 150 real MOT records for the 2015 BMW 740. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2015 BMW 740 passes its MOT on the first attempt 85.8% of the time, which is a solid 5.8 percentage points above the UK average—but the concerning detail is that 22.7% of these cars have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history, well above the typical threshold. This suggests that while the majority prove reliable, a meaningful portion develop serious safety issues that buyers should investigate carefully on the used market.
The median mileage of 37,007 miles is relatively low for a nine-year-old vehicle, indicating these are likely cherished examples rather than high-milers, though the average climbs to 50,175 due to a few heavily used cars skewing the data. With an average of 0.87 failures and 5.1 advisories per test, the 740 tends to rack up minor wear items and trim niggles—typical for a premium executive car—so factor in regular servicing costs and have a pre-purchase inspection specifically check suspension, cooling system, and electrical components before committing.
What to check before buying a 2015 BMW 740
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.
- ⚠️ 22.7% 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 740
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 (57%) | 86 | 83.9% | 0.78 |
| Diesel (43%) | 64 | 88.3% | 0.98 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2015 BMW 740 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 2015 BMW 740 vehicles fall between 27,079 and 52,038 miles.
2015 BMW 740 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 119 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 90% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2015 BMW 740
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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42.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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38.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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30.1%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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15.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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13%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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12%
Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
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11.4%
Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement
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11.4%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2015. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 740?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.