BMW 7 Series
Registered from 1990 to 2026.
About this model
The BMW 7 Series is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured and marketed by the German automaker BMW since 1977. It is the successor to the BMW E3 "New Six" sedan and is now in its seventh generation.
From the Wikipedia article BMW 7 Series, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2018 3.0 diesel. 112 of 1,456 tests failed, 8%.
Better than 79% of 2018 cars. The typical one fails 10%, across 966 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 65% | 73 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 17% | 19 |
| Lights and electrics | 14% | 16 |
| Brakes | 8% | 9 |
| Body and structure | 7% | 8 |
| Visibility | 4% | 5 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel
Where it stands out against its peers
- Exhaust and emissions: failed more often than 90% of 2018 cars — 17% of its 112 failed tests, where an ordinary 2018 car has 6%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 65% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Exhaust and emissions — 17% of its failures
- Brakes — 8% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Lights and electrics — 14% of its failures
- A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Body and structure — 7% of its failures
- A tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber
When it starts failing
At 100–120k miles this one fails 9% of its inspections, against the 15% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 6% | 6% | 63 | |
| 20–40k miles | 8% | 9% | 408 | |
| 40–60k miles | 8% | 12% | 446 | |
| 60–80k miles | 7% | 14% | 279 | |
| 80–100k miles | 8% | 15% | 153 | |
| 100–120k miles | 9% | 15% | 46 |
1,395 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 40k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 3.0 hybrid · 282 hp · 2180 kg · 3210 mm wheelbase · 6.2 L/100km (WLTP) · 195 Wh/km |
| 2021 | 3.0 hybrid · 282 hp · 2179 kg · 3210 mm wheelbase · 2.4 L/100km (WLTP) · 197 Wh/km |
| 2020 | 3.0 diesel · 394 hp · 2075 kg · 3210 mm wheelbase · 7.5 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 3.0 diesel · 394 hp · 2070 kg · 3210 mm wheelbase · 7.5 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 3.0 diesel · 282 hp · 1923 kg · 3082 mm wheelbase · 7.0 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 3.0 diesel · 298 hp · 1929 kg · 3083 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 3.0 diesel · 315 hp · 1975 kg · 3210 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 3.0 diesel · 312 hp · 1974 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 3.0 diesel · 250 hp · 1985 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 6.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 3.0 diesel · 375 hp · 2070 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00996/24
The integrated braking system could be compromised, which could lead to an unexpected failure of the hydraulic braking assistance, thereby requiring greater pressure on the brake pedal. This can result in a longer braking distance, as well as failure of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01377/22
Defects in the winding of cell-internal foils in the high-voltage batteries can lead to the occurrence of increased self-discharge. This can cause high voltage cell modules to overheat, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0202/17
The universal joint of the drive shaft might break, causing a sudden loss of propulsion.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/02079/23
The welding of the front seat structure is defective. In case of an accident, the joint in question can fail and compromise the restraint system, increasing the risk of injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/02466/24
The software-based overload protection function cannot sufficiently prevent the starter being overloaded in the event of repeated long start-up attempts. The starter may overheat or sparks may be produced as a result of an increased current flow. This increases the risk of a fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/02509/23
The front wind-shield wipers could become stuck without warning, in any position when activated, which can decrease visibility during rain, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/03529/24
Due to manufacturing problem, the rotation bushing of the steering column's double universal joint can break when the steering wheel is turned hard at the extreme position and when steering without steering assistance with the engine switched off. This can lead to unexpected steering behaviour which can increase the risk of accidents and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1107/13
Electrically weak contacts may occur on the PCB of the fuel filter heater. As a result, under unfavourable conditions, individual components on the PCB of the fuel filter heater may overheat and cause a fire in the vehicle.
Recall of the product from end users
8 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.