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H1 ENL

1997 BMW 540

Green Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Dec 2026
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

135,202 mi
Last recorded135,202 miles
Recorded on17 Dec 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW 540117,944 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationH1 ENL
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1997
ColourGreen
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 13 fail
Pass 17 Dec 2025 135,202 miles

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

Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front alloy wheel dent

Offside Rear jacking point excessive corrosion

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive rear differential (8.4.1 (a) (i))

surface corrosion on front subframe

Fail 17 Dec 2025 135,202 miles

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front alloy wheel dent

Offside Rear jacking point excessive corrosion

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive rear differential (8.4.1 (a) (i))

surface corrosion on front subframe

Pass 9 Dec 2024 134,975 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

both rear inner side sills corroded

Pass 18 Dec 2023 134,716 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated both (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated both (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 27 Sep 2023 134,716 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt toe arm (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt toe arm (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength boot floor in two places (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play toe arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play toe arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced boot floor at rear (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 4 Oct 2022 134,142 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated front (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated perishing and splitting (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 9 Sep 2022 134,111 miles

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated lower front (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated perishing and splitting (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 3 Sep 2021 133,332 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

under body covered in anti corrosion coating

Fail 3 Sep 2021 133,332 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

under body covered in anti corrosion coating

Fail 18 Aug 2021 133,307 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

underbody covered in anti corrosion coating

Pass 18 Sep 2020 132,907 miles
Fail 17 Sep 2020 132,907 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Fail 2 Sep 2020 132,767 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Headlamp aim too low Both (4.1.2 (a))

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Central Exhaust mounting defective Fouling brace (6.1.2 (a))

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

Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play Both front arms (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 14 Jun 2019 131,564 miles

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

Nearside Front sill corroded but outside any specified areas

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear sill corroded but outside any specified areas

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor under seat (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 10 Jun 2019 131,564 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at rear mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at rear mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

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

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

Nearside Front sill corroded but outside any specified areas

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear sill corroded but outside any specified areas

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor under seat (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 30 Jun 2018 130,490 miles
Fail 29 Jun 2018 130,490 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Pass 6 Jul 2017 129,283 miles
Fail 4 Jul 2017 129,283 miles

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Pass 28 Jun 2016 127,996 miles

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated STARTING TO CRACK (3.6.B.4d)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 27 Jun 2016 127,996 miles

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated STARTING TO CRACK (3.6.B.4d)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 24 Jun 2015 126,468 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Pass 23 Jun 2014 124,354 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

Pass 20 Jun 2013 122,395 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

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

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

offside and nearside front brake pipes corroded advise replace

Fail 18 Jun 2013 122,395 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

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

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

offside and nearside front brake pipes corroded advise replace

Pass 2 Jul 2012 120,892 miles

brake pipes corroded advise replace

fuel pipes corroded advise replace

Pass 2 Jul 2011 118,349 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Oil leak

Pass 1 Jul 2010 116,301 miles
Fail 1 Jul 2010 116,300 miles

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Pass 29 Jun 2009 113,623 miles

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

front to rear brake pipe corroded advise replace

Pass 9 Jul 2008 111,070 miles
Pass 9 Jul 2007 108,073 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 15 Jun 2006 100,856 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

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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

H1 ENL is a 1997 BMW 540 in Green with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

Across all 1997 BMW 540 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.9% with a typical mileage of 117,944 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 H1 ENL, 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 29 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 H1 ENL?

You can check the full history of H1 ENL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H1 ENL registered?

H1 ENL is a 1997 BMW 540, first registered on 8 August 1997.

Is H1 ENL safe to buy?

The MOT history for H1 ENL shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H1 ENL 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 H1 ENL. 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.