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What to check: BMW X7

BBy miles

Ranked across all years of the BMW X7, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Bushes and ball jointsRuns high on this modelDrive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 4.9% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 2.4%

Lights and horn walkroundWith a helper, run every light: dipped, main beam, indicators, brake lights including the high-level one, reverse, fog, and the horn. On newer cars a dead LED section can mean replacing the whole lamp unit rather than a bulb.Recorded on 0.8% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 0.1%

LeaksLook at the ground where the car usually stands, then glance under the engine after your test drive. Fresh drips of oil or coolant are the cheapest warning you will ever get about a car.Recorded on 0.7% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 1.2%

Warning lights on ignitionTurn the ignition on without starting the engine and watch the dash. Every warning light should appear, then go out once it is running. Be more suspicious of a light that never comes on at all than of one that stays on; warning bulbs have been known to vanish before a sale.Recorded on 0.6% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 0.2%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 22.6% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 16.6%

Pads and discsLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 3.9% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 7.2%

Windscreen and wipersRuns high on this modelScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 2.3% of tests at age 3-5 · class average 1.4%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Press down hard on each corner of the car and watch it settle back to ride height.A corner that sags, sits low overnight, or takes ages to rise points to the air suspension.

Listen for the suspension compressor running under the car with the engine off.A compressor cycling constantly or running noisily is working to cover a leak.

Pull the registration and check the DVSA/BMW recall record before viewing.Outstanding recalls (steering rack, brakes, third-row seat, starter) should have been done free; if not, get them booked before handover.

On a V8 xDrive50i or M50i, check the dipstick or oil display and ask for oil top-up history.Regular top-ups between services or a rattle on cold start point to the N63's known oil consumption and chain guide wear.

Do a firm brake stop from speed and watch the dash for ABS or DSC warning lights.Any warning lights or a pedal that feels spongy or inconsistent needs investigating against the brake module recalls.

If fitted with a third row, fold it up and give the backrest a firm shove forward.Any give or movement means the seatback lock springs need checking against the recall.

Ask about any history of slow or repeated starting.Cars that have needed several attempts to start are the ones the starter motor recall is aimed at.

Full BMW X7 reliability report