1996 BMW 728 2.8L Petrol · P652 BPC

This 1996 BMW 728 shows a stable but inconsistent MOT history, with the most recent test on 2025-10-03 passing without defects after a prior failure on the same date. The pattern of alternating pass/fail in October 2024 and 2025 suggests either a test centre error or a narrowly missed advisory that required immediate attention—though no specific faults were recorded. The last full pass in August 2023 indicates the vehicle has not undergone a proper MOT cycle since then, leaving 14 months without official inspection. Given the age and mileage, this gap is concerning, as even minor issues could escalate without oversight. The recorded mileage of 87,823 miles over 30 years equates to approximately 2,927 miles annually, which is unusually low for a vehicle of this age. The sparse MOT dates—spread over five years with no intermediate tests—align with light usage or prolonged storage, though this also raises questions about maintenance consistency. Without service records, it’s impossible to confirm whether critical components like suspension bushes, coil springs, or drivetrain seals have been addressed. The lack of mileage progression between 2023 and 2024 (just 1,000 miles in a year) further suggests the vehicle may have been stationary, accelerating wear on rubber seals, battery health, and fuel system integrity. A buyer should prioritise an independent inspection of the suspension system, particularly the rear coil springs and bushes, which are common failure points in high-mileage BMWs. The brakes, including caliper binding and disc corrosion, should be thoroughly checked, as repeated MOT failures without recorded faults often point to neglected wear. Structural integrity—especially around the sills, wheel arches, and underbody—must be assessed for corrosion, given the vehicle’s age. The lack of recent MOTs also warrants testing the battery, fuel system, and electrical components, as these degrade rapidly when a vehicle sits unused. Given the inconsistent test history, a pre-purchase inspection is essential to verify no hidden issues exist.