Used car guide

2021 BMW 730d: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW 730d first registered in 2021: we looked at the 738 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

738MOTs of 2021 cars, done in 2023–2025
91%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
9,800typical miles a year
19%had tyres flagged

Common 2021 BMW 730d MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 BMW 730d MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    19% 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.

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Brakes
    2% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    1% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 BMW 730d

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW 730d?

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Other years

Every year of the BMW 730d compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022304Tyres 15%
20201,270Tyres 18%
20192,212Tyres 19%
20181,912Tyres 20%
20172,155Tyres 20%
20162,550Tyres 20%
20151,710Tyres 23%
20142,098Tyres 26%
20131,156Tyres 26%
20121,482Tyres 28%
20111,912Suspension 26%
20101,379Tyres 29%
20091,061Suspension 30%
20081,446Suspension 35%
20071,285Suspension 37%
20061,771Suspension 42%
2005821Suspension 44%
2004393Brakes 41%
2003328Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW 730d cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score