Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 BMW 745?

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 2003 BMW 745?

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 2003 BMW 745?

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 2003 BMW 745 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

31% 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 2003 BMW 745 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 438 vehicles, the 2003 BMW 745 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2003 BMW 745?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2003 BMW 745 are: Oil leak (84.6% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (82.7% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (80% 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 2003 BMW 745?

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 745 (2003)

438 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.3% first-time pass rate

2003 BMW 745

CarHunch analysed 438 real MOT records for the 2003 BMW 745. 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. 438 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2003 BMW 745 sits right at the UK average with a 79.3% first-time pass rate, but the real concern is that 31.1% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—significantly higher than typical—making thorough pre-purchase inspection essential. Nearly one in three owners will encounter a serious safety issue with this model, which warrants caution from any potential buyer.

At 87,000 miles median mileage these are well-used cars, yet they're still racking up an average of 3.26 failures per test and a concerning 16.2 advisories, indicating cumulative wear and ageing components throughout the vehicle. Before buying, get a full diagnostic on the suspension, cooling system, and electrical architecture—the 745's complexity means small problems compound quickly and become expensive.

The 2003 BMW 745 has a decent first-time pass rate (79.3%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

79.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

31.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.26

Over 14.7 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

87k

Middle half: 67k–105k

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 16.2 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 438 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 438 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 84.6%

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

Tyre wear 82.7%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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 34.8%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

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

Lighting 19.7%

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 438 BMW 745 cars.

Before you buy a 2003 BMW 745

Based on MOT data from 438 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 31.1% 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%)	432	79.3%	3.26

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,651 BMW 745 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 30.6%

506

Black 21.6%

357

Grey 21%

347

Blue 16.2%

268

Green 6.4%

106

White 1.3%

Red 1.3%

Beige 1.2%

Purple 0.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 BMW 745 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.

87,003

typical

67,296

low mileage

104,761

high mileage

Half of all 2003 BMW 745 vehicles fall between 67,296 and 104,761 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 67,296 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.

✓ 67,296–104,761 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 BMW 745s sit.

⚠ Over 141,427 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 BMW 745 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 17% of 2003 BMW 745s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 50 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (17% 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

14.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.26

Avg failures per vehicle

16.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW 745: All 745 years → Which year to buy? →

2002 2004

Or browse all models: BMW →

Compare with another model

See how the 2003 BMW 745 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing