2018 BMW 7 Series (first used 2018) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 90.0% of BMW 7 Series cars first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 4,829 7 Series first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, noise, emissions and leaks and lamps and electrical equipment.

This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW 7 Series cars first used in 2018 (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

Passed first time, 2025
90.0%
of 1,554 first tests; all cars first used in 2018: 80.9%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
4,829
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,554 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
64.9%
of 1,554 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
68,000
middle half: 49,000–93,000 miles; all cars first used in 2018: 52,000

How the 2018 BMW 7 Series MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, 7 Series cars first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 7 Series figure was 9.1 points higher.

2018 7 SeriesAll cars first used in 2018
80%90%100%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2018, test year 2021: 87.6%All cars first used in 2018, test year 2022: 86.3%All cars first used in 2018, test year 2023: 84.2%All cars first used in 2018, test year 2024: 82.5%All cars first used in 2018, test year 2025: 80.9%2018 7 Series, test year 2021: 89.6%2018 7 Series, test year 2022: 92.3%2018 7 Series, test year 2023: 90.8%2018 7 Series, test year 2024: 90.5%2018 7 Series, test year 2025: 90%90%80.9%
View this chart as a table
Test year2018 7 SeriesAll cars first used 20187 Series first tests
202189.6%87.6%1,720
202292.3%86.3%1,719
202390.8%84.2%1,665
202490.5%82.5%1,610
202590.0%80.9%1,554

Common 2018 BMW 7 Series MOT failures

Share of the 462 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%.

Tyres47.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks14.7%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment11.7%
Body, chassis, structure10.0%
Road Wheels10.0%
Visibility9.1%
Brakes8.2%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords13.4%62
Tyre condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.9%55
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm11.0%51

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2018 BMW 7 Series before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
  2. 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.
  3. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.

Common 2018 BMW 7 Series MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 7 Series cars, as a share of all 4,829 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.2%588
Brake pads: wearing thin4.1%197
Flexible couplings: slightly deteriorated2.1%102
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened1.9%94
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge1.9%94

Questions about the 2018 BMW 7 Series MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 BMW 7 Series?

In 2025, 90.0% of 7 Series cars first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2018 7 Series most often fail its MOT on?

Tyres (in 47.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), noise, emissions and leaks (14.7%) and lamps and electrical equipment (11.7%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (13.4%).

How often does a 2018 BMW 7 Series fail its MOT?

In 2025, 10.0% of first tests on 7 Series cars first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 8.6% failed, and a further 1.4% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 462 of 4,829 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2018 BMW 7 Series MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 12.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (4.1%), “Flexible couplings: slightly deteriorated” (2.1%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (1.9%) and “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (1.9%).

Is a 2018 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 89.6% in 2021 to 90.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2018

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics

How the 2018 BMW 7 Series MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2018 7 Series” means a BMW 7 Series whose date of first use falls in 2018 (67, 18 and 68 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2018, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.