2001 BMW 728 2.8L Petrol · Y144 CFR

The vehicle achieved a roadworthy status on its most recent MOT on 13 February 2023 at 148 021 miles with no recorded defects, indicating that the earlier failure on 8 February 2023 – a fractured rear coil spring on both offside and nearside – was rectified before the pass. The pattern of a failure followed by a clean pass within five days suggests an improving maintenance trend, with the owner addressing the coil‑spring issue promptly rather than allowing it to persist. Mileage accumulation has been modest for a 25‑year‑old car. Between the July 2020 test at 140 307 miles and the February 2023 test the mileage rose only 7 714 miles over roughly three years, averaging about 2 571 miles per year during that interval. The overall average of 5 921 miles per year remains low, reflecting light use or extended periods of storage. No MOT entries exist after February 2023, so the recent usage pattern is uncertain and the vehicle may have been kept stationary for some time. A prospective buyer should inspect the rear coil springs for cracking or breakage, as this component failed recently and could recur. The suspension system warrants close scrutiny: multiple ball‑joint plays were recorded in 2016 and 2015, and the rear suspension arms showed excessive play on the offside. Brake condition is also critical; a corroded brake pipe was noted in 2020, and brake pads were below the 1.5 mm threshold in 2016. Check the stop lamp, registration plate lamp, and direction indicators for proper operation, as these were non‑functional or discoloured in earlier tests. Finally, examine the steering linkage, wheel rim for distortion, and tyre sidewalls for cuts, given the history of play and minor damage.