Used car guide

1997 BMW 728i: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW 728i first registered in 1997: we looked at the 284 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 284 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

284MOTs of 1997 cars, done in 2023–2025
71%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 65%)
4,800typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for ball joint

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 BMW 728i?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 BMW 728i than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Ball joint2.7× usual
    BMW 728i
    12.3% All 1997 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 1997 BMW 728i MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 BMW 728i MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    20% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    19% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 BMW 728i

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 1997 BMW 728i as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW 728i?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the BMW 728i compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2001583Suspension 34%
2000463Brakes 37%
1999404Suspension 43%
1998299Suspension 43%
1996121Brakes 26%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW 728i cars first registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score