Used car guide

2015 BMW 740: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 BMW 740s, from 122 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 122 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

122MOT tests in 2025
86%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
7,400typical miles a year
22%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2015 BMW 740 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    22% 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.

  • Suspension
    12% 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
    11% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a BMW 740?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020184Tyres 16%
2019460Tyres 21%
2018492Tyres 21%
2017399Tyres 16%
2016430Tyres 17%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 BMW 740s registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score