2009 · 15 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2009 BMW 7 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

494 MOT tests in 2024. 78.7% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

135Well above average
Passed first time78.7%
Failed or needed repairs21.3%
Typical mileage at test124,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 494 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.0%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.0%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
    19 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.6%
    8 marked dangerous
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.6%
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.4%
  7. Headlamp: not working on main beam1.2%
  8. Road Wheels - condition: fractured1.2%
    8 marked dangerous
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.2%
    9 marked dangerous
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension9.3%
  2. Lights & electrics7.3%
  3. Tyres5.3%
  4. Brakes4.5%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.0%
  6. Emissions & leaks2.8%
  7. Wheels1.4%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.2%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.8%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak8.3%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.1%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn7.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 BMW 7 Series?

In 2024, 78.7% of 2009 BMW 7 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 494 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 BMW 7 Series?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2009 BMW 7 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 135, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).