2005 BMW 7 Series · 2,120 MOT tests
2005 BMW 7 Series reliability
2005 BMW 7 Seriess fail 28.4% of first MOT tests, 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 22 7 Series years (2,120 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW 7 Seriess: 15.9%)
- 28.4%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 7 Seriess: 15.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 37% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 130,502
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,120
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1% of tests fail here (50% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 89% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 BMW 7 Series
Fail rate by area
- Suspension13.2%
- Lights and electrics8.5%
- Brakes8.3%
- Tyres5.8%
- Seat belts and airbags4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 3.35%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.92%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 2.88%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.78%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.55%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.84%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (19.15%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.33%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (15.05%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.73%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (6.51%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (4.95%)
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 2005 BMW 7 Series reliable?
2005 BMW 7 Seriess fail 28.4% of first MOT tests, 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 22 7 Series years (2,120 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 BMW 7 Series MOT?
Most often airbag warning lamp shows fault (3.35% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.92% of tests), position lamp not working (2.88% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 BMW 7 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 BMW 7 Series shows 130,502 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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