Used car guide

2006 BMW 730: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 BMW 730s, from 520 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

520MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
7,800typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 BMW 730s than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Engine oil leaks2.1× usual
    BMW 730
    28.3% All 2006 cars
    13.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
    BMW 730
    20.8% All 2006 cars
    11.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint2.1× usual
    BMW 730
    13.3% All 2006 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Airbag warning light4.8× usual
    BMW 730
    6.2% All 2006 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 1.2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4.8% here, against 11.2% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 BMW 730 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    37% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    33% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    29% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a BMW 730?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019720Tyres 20%
2018614Tyres 20%
2017694Tyres 20%
2016815Tyres 18%
2015563Tyres 24%
2014666Tyres 26%
2011578Suspension 28%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 BMW 730s registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score