2017 BMW 7 Series (first used 2017) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 88.4% of BMW 7 Series cars first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. Across 5,057 7 Series first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, body, chassis and structure and noise, emissions and leaks.
This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW 7 Series cars first used in 2017 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2017 BMW 7 Series MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 7 Series cars first used in 2017 against all cars first used in 2017 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 7 Series figure was 10.2 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2017 7 Series | All cars first used 2017 | 7 Series first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91.4% | 85.9% | 1,896 |
| 2022 | 89.9% | 83.9% | 1,783 |
| 2023 | 88.8% | 81.7% | 1,759 |
| 2024 | 88.7% | 79.8% | 1,661 |
| 2025 | 88.4% | 78.2% | 1,637 |
Common 2017 BMW 7 Series MOT failures
Share of the 575 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 14.4% | 83 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 13.0% | 75 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 10.3% | 59 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 9.7% | 56 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · opens our free car check — no sign-in needed.
What to check on a 2017 BMW 7 Series before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
- Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
Common 2017 BMW 7 Series MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2017 7 Series cars, as a share of all 5,057 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 11.9% | 600 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 3.5% | 179 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 2.5% | 126 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 2.1% | 107 |
| Flexible couplings: slightly deteriorated | 1.9% | 94 |
Questions about the 2017 BMW 7 Series MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2017 BMW 7 Series?
In 2025, 88.4% of 7 Series cars first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2017 7 Series most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 47.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), body, chassis and structure (17.7%) and noise, emissions and leaks (12.0%). The single most common item was “Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” (14.4%).
How often does a 2017 BMW 7 Series fail its MOT?
In 2025, 11.6% of first tests on 7 Series cars first used in 2017 did not pass first time: 10.1% failed, and a further 1.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 575 of 5,057 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2017 BMW 7 Series MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 11.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (3.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (2.5%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (2.1%) and “Flexible couplings: slightly deteriorated” (1.9%).
Is a 2017 BMW 7 Series reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 91.4% in 2021 to 88.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2017
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2017 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2017 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2017 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2017 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics · 2017 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2017 7 Series?
The numbers above cover every 7 Series first used in 2017 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · no sign-in needed.