IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2015 BMW 7 Series (G11/G12)

The G11 short-wheelbase and G12 long-wheelbase 7 Series reached the UK in 2015, built around a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic passenger cell that kept a flagship limousine car within a manageable weight. Engines ran from the 730d six-cylinder diesel through the 740i, 750i and the M760i V12.

What changed for 2015

  • •Carbon-core construction shared with the i7 generation that followed
  • •Laserlight headlamps and gesture control introduced on BMW flagships
  • •First 7 Series with a plug-in hybrid variant, the 740e

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Air suspension and ride-height faults, the largest single 7 Series claim category
  • !Electrical and infotainment faults, including iDrive units and comfort features
  • !Brake disc corrosion and worn pads on cars used mainly for short journeys
4
Known Issues
1
Serious
1
Moderate
2
Minor

All Known Issues

Air Suspension Compressor

SeriousSuspension & Chassis

The standard 2-axle air suspension system compressor and solenoid valve block can suffer air leaks or thermal burnout, causing the car to drop on one corner or sit unevenly.

Est. Repair Cost: £500–£1,500
Warning Signs:

Uneven stance or front-to-rear ride height disparity after sitting, "Chassis restricted" error message on instrument cluster, Air suspension fails to raise when pressing height control switch

What to Inspect:
  • Cycle the air suspension through normal and raised height settings
  • Listen for air hissing around valve block under car
  • Confirm compressor runs quietly and shuts off within 20 seconds
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Active Grille Shutters

ModerateCooling System

The motorized aerodynamic flap shutters behind the front kidney grilles can stick open or closed due to grit accumulation or internal stepper motor failure, triggering an engine check light.

Est. Repair Cost: £300–£600
Warning Signs:

Engine check light illuminated on dashboard, Active grille slats jammed permanently open or closed, Clicking noise from behind front bumper on vehicle unlock

What to Inspect:
  • Check that grille shutters move freely without resistance
  • Scan for OBD fault code 138102 or 138104 (lower/upper radiator shutter)
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Display Key Battery/Screen

MinorElectrics & Electronics

The optional BMW Display Key with its colour touchscreen has a delicate lithium battery and micro-USB port that degrades quickly, leading to touchscreen unresponsiveness or refusal to charge.

Est. Repair Cost: £200–£400
Warning Signs:

Display Key screen remains black or flickers, Key battery depletes in less than 24 hours, Failure to establish remote vehicle communication

What to Inspect:
  • Confirm both standard physical keys and the Display Key are present
  • Charge the Display Key via USB and test touch functions and battery indicator
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Massage Seat Malfunction

MinorInterior & Trim

The optional multi-contour massage seats use multiple pneumatic bladders and an electric air compressor inside the backrest that can leak air or blow valves, leaving massage functions dead.

Est. Repair Cost: £300–£800
Warning Signs:

Massage programme cuts out after 10 seconds, Whirring compressor sound inside seat without bladder inflation, Pneumatic lumbar adjustment deflates slowly on motorway drives

What to Inspect:
  • Test massage programmes on both front and rear seats through the iDrive menu
  • Check that all massage intensity settings inflate properly
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 2015 BMW 7 Series (G11/G12)

  • Buy the best-documented car rather than the cheapest, because body-repair and electronics history matters
  • Have any carbon-core panel repair fully documented, since poor repair work is hard to detect later
2016–2018
Check a 2015 BMW 7 Series (G11/G12) by Registration