2000 BMW 735 3.5L Petrol · X64 XPL

A 26-year-old BMW 735 presenting with five consecutive MOT passes and zero advisories or failures on the DVSA record points to a vehicle that has consistently met statutory roadworthiness criteria, with the most recent test on 15 October 2025 confirming a clean pass. The absence of any flagged defects, even at the advisory level, is notable for a car of this vintage, where corrosion, component wear, and age-related deterioration are commonly recorded items. That said, the MOT test is fundamentally a safety and emissions check at the point of test and does not necessarily reflect the mechanical condition of complex systems such as the engine, automatic transmission, or in-car electronics that are common trouble points on the E38 generation. The clean trend is encouraging, but it should be read in context with the mileage profile and a thorough physical inspection. Recorded mileage stands at 42,718 miles over 26 years, equating to an annual accumulation of roughly 1,643 miles. This is unusually low for any road-going vehicle and strongly suggests extended periods of off-road storage, seasonal use, or prolonged inactivity between journeys. The MOT record itself shows no testing gaps, with annual examinations consistently performed from 2021 through 2025, indicating the car has been kept on the road and tested each year regardless of how little it has actually been driven. Mechanically, very low annual mileage on a vehicle of this age carries specific concerns: seals, gaskets, and rubber components in the engine, transmission, and cooling system can deteriorate through lack of use rather than wear, leading to oil leaks, coolant weeping, and dried-out driveshaft flex discs or vacuum lines. Brake discs can develop surface corrosion from infrequent use, suspension bushes and ball joints can seize or crack from standing static, and the ageing V8 or V12 drivetrain will benefit from confirmation that regular fluid and filter changes have been carried out irrespective of the low odometer reading. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection areas should be those that age rather than mileage tends to compromise on this model. On a test drive, listen carefully for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn control arm bushes or drop links, and feel for vagueness or play in the steering that could point to aged tie rods or a fatigued power steering rack. Check the underside for any oil misting around the valve cover gaskets, oil filter housing, and rear main seal, as these are well-documented seep points on the M62 and M73 engines, and inspect the cooling system including the expansion tank, radiator, and plastic coolant pipes for any signs of brittle plastic or staining. Brake pedal feel should be firm without excessive travel, as low-mileage cars can suffer from corroded brake pistons binding in the calipers, and a steady pedal without judder under braking is essential given the tendency for front disc corrosion on lightly used vehicles. Beyond the mechanicals, the buyer should pay close attention to the areas that do not appear on an MOT but are critical to the long-term viability of a low-mileage E38. Confirm that the timing chain, guides, and tensioner have been addressed on the V8 variants, as these are a known failure point that would not have been triggered by the low annual mileage but remains a major service item regardless. Inspect the condition of all tyres, including the spare, as perished sidewalls from age rather than wear can render a tyre illegal despite having ample tread depth, and verify the manufacturing date on the sidewall if visible. Check that the climate control, instrument cluster pixels, central locking, and seat memory functions are fully operational, as electrical gremlins are common on this generation and would not be flagged during testing. Finally, ask for evidence of recent servicing covering engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and differential oil, as the mileage alone cannot be relied upon to confirm that these vital fluids have been refreshed at the appropriate intervals for a 26-year-old luxury saloon.