At a Glance
The Bmw 7 Series E38 has 6 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Fuel tank corroded or leaking being the most reported. Suspension is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 123K 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 E38 — 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 E38 MOT Pass Rate
Across 123K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Bmw 7 Series E38 (1994–2001) has a fail rate of 38.2%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Bmw 7 Series E38 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.
Fuel tank corroded or leaking
1,089
occurrences
ABS fault
936
occurrences
Steering arm worn
428
occurrences
Flexible brake hose damaged
103
occurrences
Steering intermediate drop arm worn
73
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Bmw 7 Series E38 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Bmw 7 Series E38 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 E38, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
564 distinct problems · 274,035 total occurrences in current filter
Filter by fuel and engine size to narrow down to your car.
Toggle problem types on or off to focus on what matters to you.
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
E38
1994–2001
8 problems
Current page
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 E38 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Bmw 7 Series E38 (1994–2001), we have identified 6 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Fuel tank corroded or leaking". Suspension is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Bmw 7 Series E38?
This generation has 123K MOT tests on record with a 38.2% 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 E38?
There are 173 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the E38 (1994–2001), 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 E38?
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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