Used car guide

2016 BMW 740: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 BMW 740s, from 430 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 430 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

430MOT tests in 2025
89%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
8,900typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 BMW 740s than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.7× usual
    BMW 740
    7% All 2016 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 5.3% here, against 13.3% of all 2016 cars. Brake discs: 4.7% here, against 12.3% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 BMW 740 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    17% 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.

  • Brakes
    8% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    7% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Suspension
    4% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Looking at a BMW 740?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020184Tyres 16%
2019460Tyres 21%
2018492Tyres 21%
2017399Tyres 16%
2015122Tyres 22%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 BMW 740s registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score