What are the most common problems with a 2016 BMW 740d?

The biggest MOT weak spot is drive shaft (cv) joints: flagged on 7.2% of tests, 4.8× the rate for all 2016 cars.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2016 BMW 740d?

Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the 2016 BMW 740d as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2016 BMW 740d: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW 740d first registered in 2016: we looked at the 1,063 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,063MOTs of 2016 cars, done in 2023–2025

89%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%)

9,400typical miles a year

4.8×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 BMW 740d?

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

Drive shaft (CV) joints4.8× usual

BMW 740d
7.2% All 2016 cars
1.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.9% 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: 5.1% here, against 13.2% of all 2016 cars. Brake discs: 4.5% here, against 11.8% of all 2016 cars.

Common 2016 BMW 740d MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 BMW 740d 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

3% 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

2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 BMW 740d

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

Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the 2016 BMW 740d as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW 740d?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the BMW 740d compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2021	188	Tyres 18%
2020	514	Tyres 17%
2019	1,075	Tyres 19%
2018	1,423	Tyres 19%
2017	1,033	Tyres 16%
2015	174	Tyres 22%
2014	194	Tyres 16%
2013	122	Tyres 22%
2012	123	Tyres 28%
2011	202	Tyres 27%
2010	208	Suspension 24%
2009	111	Suspension 33%

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 740d cars first registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score