CarVerify

Free Car Check

1515 BR

1999 BMW 540

Red Petrol 4398cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Oct 2026
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

157,159 mi
Last recorded157,159 miles
Recorded on2 Oct 2025
Typical for 1999 BMW 540107,004 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

Registration1515 BR
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1999
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine4,398cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

20 pass 10 fail
Pass 2 Oct 2025 157,159 miles

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing cracked on inner side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing cracked on inner side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Both rear sills, inner sills and wheel arch areas (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 25 Sep 2025 157,147 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Headlamp levelling device inoperative front level sensor broken (4.1.5 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear most (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear most (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing cracked on inner side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing cracked on inner side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Both rear sills, inner sills and wheel arch areas (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Sep 2024 156,235 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 27 Sep 2023 155,288 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both front wish bone rear arm starting to de bond (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 26 Sep 2023 155,288 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both front wish bone rear arm starting to de bond (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 26 Sep 2022 154,427 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both front wish bore rear bush starting to split (5.3.4 (a) (i))

boot lid slight corroded

Fail 26 Sep 2022 154,427 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both front wish bore rear bush starting to split (5.3.4 (a) (i))

boot lid slight corroded

Pass 24 Sep 2021 153,530 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive Oil on engine, gearbox, subframe, steering components, suspension components. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

boot lid corroded near badge

Fail 21 Sep 2021 153,525 miles

Nearside Front Hydraulic brake calliper insecurely mounted retaining clip missing (1.1.16 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

boot lid corroded near badge

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 29 Sep 2020 152,796 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Fail 18 Aug 2020 152,754 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Sep 2019 151,373 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Fail 3 Sep 2019 151,370 miles

Exhaust silencer insecure rear box clamp missing (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (1.1.10 (f))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Sep 2018 150,185 miles

Nearside Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Exhaust silencer slightly loose (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Outer Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 11 Sep 2017 148,340 miles

middle to back box exhaust clamp missing

Fail 30 Aug 2017 148,338 miles

Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill holed (6.1.B.2)

middle to back box exhaust clamp missing

Pass 15 Aug 2016 145,182 miles

chips in windscreen

exhaust back box poor

hand brake only just met effort levelrequirements

Pass 3 Sep 2015 142,585 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 28 Aug 2015 142,584 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp insecure inner reflector loose (1.7.3)

Nearside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint both (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 28 Aug 2014 140,000 miles

front number plate cracked

n/s/r tyre 2.5mm

play in o/s/f track rod end

rear brake discs corroding

slight play in rear anti roll bar link rods

Pass 22 Aug 2013 136,957 miles

o/s/r tyre 2mm

play in o/s/f track rod end

rear coil springs corroding

rear discs starting to rust

rear link rods have play

Pass 16 Aug 2012 132,868 miles

front tyres starting to wear edges

slight play in rear link rods

Fail 16 Aug 2012 132,868 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

front tyres starting to wear edges

slight play in rear link rods

Pass 23 Aug 2011 128,757 miles

both rear anit roll bar link rods have play

Fail 18 Aug 2011 128,757 miles

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

both rear anit roll bar link rods have play

Pass 11 Aug 2010 123,868 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2009 116,334 miles

Nearside Outer Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

offsidde handbrake low effort.

Pass 18 Aug 2008 108,328 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar synthetic mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar synthetic mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 9 Aug 2007 100,613 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting worn but its strength is not seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Pass 17 Aug 2006 91,414 miles

How Reliable is the BMW 540?

Based on 50,016 MOT tests across 4,152 vehicles.

71.9%
Pass Rate
4,801
Miles/Year
33
Year Lifespan
4,152
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 2,881
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,341
Brake pipe excessively corroded 1,599
parking brake recording little or no effort 1,360
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,334
Full BMW 540 reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

1515 BR is a 1999 BMW 540 in Red with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1999 BMW 540 models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.8% with a typical mileage of 107,004 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a BMW 540 fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 2,881 recorded failures. If you're considering buying 1515 BR, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 540 typically stays on UK roads for around 33 years. At 27 years old, this BMW 540 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of 1515 BR?

You can check the full history of 1515 BR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was 1515 BR registered?

1515 BR is a 1999 BMW 540, first registered on 29 October 1999.

Is 1515 BR safe to buy?

The MOT history for 1515 BR shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does 1515 BR have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on 1515 BR. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.