BMW 750 (1997)
1997 BMW 750
CarHunch analysed 182 real MOT records for the 1997 BMW 750. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1997 BMW 750 passes its MOT first time in 73.8% of cases, which is below the UK average of 80% and suggests a moderately unreliable car by age-adjusted standards. More concerning, 28% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects during their MOT history—well above the typical threshold—making this a model you'd want to buy with a full inspection history and recent comprehensive service records.
These 750s are averaging 127,694 miles at test, which is reasonable for a 27-year-old car, but they're racking up an average of 3.61 failures and nearly 19 advisories per MOT cycle, indicating persistent wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problems. Before committing to one, insist on an independent pre-purchase inspection from a BMW specialist, not a general mechanic, since the combination of high failure frequency and dangerous defect prevalence suggests this model demands expert diagnosis.
What to check before buying a 1997 BMW 750
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.
- ⚠️ 28% 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 750
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 (98%) | 179 | 73.7% | 3.59 |
| LPG (2%) | 3 | 80.5% | 5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1997 BMW 750 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 1997 BMW 750 vehicles fall between 97,074 and 149,562 miles.
1997 BMW 750 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 22 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (29% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1997 BMW 750
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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62.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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40.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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39.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37%
Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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35.4%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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33.3%
Oil leak
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27.2%
Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1997. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 750?
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