2007 BMW 730 3.0L Diesel · LJ57 FLH

The 2007 BMW 730 presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 22 November 2023 at 259,209 miles, passed, but the tester flagged a front oil leak and worn front and rear brake discs, all noted as not excessive at the time. This suggests the vehicle was kept on the road but with deferred attention to seepage and braking components. The trend across the record is not clearly improving or worsening; it is stable but punctuated by recurring minor advisories rather than escalating failures. No outright dangerous defects have been recorded, yet the pattern of small, repeated items indicates a vehicle that has been run rather than meticulously maintained. The mileage accumulation is notable. Between the November 2021 test at 221,503 miles and the December 2022 test at 224,011 miles, only 2,508 miles were covered in over a year, suggesting a period of very light use or possible standing. Yet by the November 2023 test, the odometer had jumped to 259,209 miles, an increase of 35,198 miles in less than twelve months. That is a sharp reversal, pointing to either a change in ownership, a long period of inactivity followed by heavy use, or a discrepancy worth verifying. The overall average of roughly 13,643 miles per year is high for a nineteen-year-old luxury saloon, and the recent surge places additional stress on an already aged drivetrain and chassis. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front end and braking system. The 2022 and 2021 tests repeatedly flagged suspension arm ball joints and bushes, with slight play and worn dust covers, while the 2023 test noted worn front and rear brake discs. These are not catastrophic, but on a car that has just done a high-mileage stint, worn bushes and marginal discs could point to neglected servicing or aggressive use. Check for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over speed bumps, and inspect the front subframe and wishbone arms for corrosion or cracking, as these are common failure points on high-mileage BMW 7 Series models. The front oil leak flagged in 2023 also warrants close attention. On a BMW 730, this could stem from the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, or crankshaft seals, all of which are labour-intensive to rectify if left to deteriorate. Examine the engine underside for fresh wetness, not just old residue, and verify the coolant condition, as neglected cooling systems are a known weakness on this engine. The MOT record shows no emissions or structural corrosion failures, but the combination of a sudden mileage spike, a live oil leak, and repeated suspension advisories means a thorough pre-inspection by a specialist is essential before purchase.