At a Glance
The Bmw 7 Series E32 has 1 identified problem that occur more often than the UK average, with Steering box fault being the most reported. Brakes is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 27K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Bmw 7 Series E32 — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Bmw 7 Series E32 MOT Pass Rate
Across 27K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Bmw 7 Series E32 (1986–1994) has a fail rate of 40.4%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Bmw 7 Series E32 Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Steering box fault
147
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Bmw 7 Series E32 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Bmw 7 Series E32 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Bmw 7 Series E32, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
320 distinct problems · 60,480 total occurrences in current filter
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Bmw 7 Series Generations
E23
1977–1986
0 problems
E32
1986–1994
1 problem
Current page
E38
1994–2001
8 problems
E65
2001–2008
3 problems
F01
2008–2015
3 problems
G11
2015–2022
0 problems
G70
2022–2025
0 problems
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Bmw 7 Series E32 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Bmw 7 Series E32 (1986–1994), we have identified 1 common problem. The most frequently reported is "Steering box fault". Brakes is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Bmw 7 Series E32?
This generation has 27K MOT tests on record with a 40.4% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Bmw 7 Series E32?
There are 137 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the E32 (1986–1994), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Bmw 7 Series E32?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Bmw 7 Series owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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