BMW X7 MOT failures and reliability

In 2023 the BMW X7 took 1,262 MOT tests in Britain and passed 85% of them first time, above the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.

MOT tests in 2023: 1,262
First-time pass rate: 85%
All cars: 71%

What the X7 fails on

Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.

Tyres10.3% (all cars 6.4%)
Lights and electrics2.2% (all cars 11.3%)
Number plates and VIN1.2% (all cars 0.4%)
Brakes1.0% (all cars 6.8%)
Visibility0.9% (all cars 4.8%)
Exhaust and emissions0.7% (all cars 3.1%)
Wheels0.5% (all cars 0.4%)
Suspension0.2% (all cars 9.0%)

Most common failure items

Share of tests on which each item was recorded.

Tyres, condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 5.8%
Tyres, condition: has ply or cords exposed 3.7%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.2%
Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements 1.1%
Headlamp aim: too high 0.8%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction 0.6%
Tyres, condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 0.6%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick 0.6%

Most common advisories

Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 15.2%
Brake pads: wearing thin 4.4%
Tyres, condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords 3.6%
Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt 2.9%
Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre 1.8%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 1.1%
Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 0.6%
Suspension arms, pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement 0.6%

Pass rate by year of registration

Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.

First registered	Tests	Pass rate
2019	560	86%
2020	665	83%

Typical mileage by age

Average odometer reading at the MOT, by the car's age in years at the test.

Age at test	Average mileage
3 years	29,870 miles
4 years	37,060 miles

Check a particular X7

Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.

Other BMW models

Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.