1998 BMW 7 Series · 1,075 MOT tests
1998 BMW 7 Series reliability
1998 BMW 7 Seriess fail 27.4% of first MOT tests, 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 22 7 Series years (1,075 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 7 Seriess: 15.9%)
- 27.4%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 7 Seriess: 15.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 30% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 126,629
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,075
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- 1999 cars: 38% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 69% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 BMW 7 Series
Fail rate by area
- Suspension11.7%
- Lights and electrics9.4%
- Brakes9.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.7%
- Tyres3.3%
- Body, chassis and structure3.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 2.23%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.23%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 1.95%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Stop lamp not working 1.95%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.95%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.77%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (16.47%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.58%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (7.91%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.95%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (5.58%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (4.74%)
Other years
Every BMW 7 Series year
The full picture: BMW 7 Series reliability. Before you pay for any BMW 7 Series, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 BMW 7 Series reliable?
1998 BMW 7 Seriess fail 27.4% of first MOT tests, 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 22 7 Series years (1,075 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 BMW 7 Series MOT?
Most often ball joint dust cover no longer sealed (2.23% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (2.23% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (1.95% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 BMW 7 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 BMW 7 Series shows 126,629 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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