BMW 728
From 1,750 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame and spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 90 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 90 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 59 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 40 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 40 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 29 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 26 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 26 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 26 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 25 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 25 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 23.6% of 728 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 40.2% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £153.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 83.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2000 | 81.5% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 1999 | 80.6% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1998 | 77.1% | brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
2 earlier years
| 1997 | 73.3% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1996 | 87.9% | emissions levels exceed default limits, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
Typical mileage
Half of all 728s tested had between 90,912 and 162,822 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 137,636 median miles, the 728 has 0.015 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW 728 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 728 has a 79.6% MOT pass rate based on 1,750 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 728?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 728 is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 90 failures. Other common issues include a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 728 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 728 is 137,636 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 90,912 and 162,822 miles.
Buying a used 728?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 79.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £153 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.