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M16 JER

1994 BMW 540

Red Petrol 3982cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Oct 2026
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

136,060 mi
Last recorded136,060 miles
Recorded on10 Oct 2025
Typical for 1994 BMW 540139,134 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationM16 JER
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1994
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,982cc

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 10 Oct 2025 136,060 miles

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

Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect both sides (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Front Lower Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced bung hole (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Lower Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced arch inner (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

underside undersealed

Fail 25 Sep 2025 136,054 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front Integral body structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect both sides (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced floor drain hole (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

Rear all brake pipes undersealed

all underside undersealed

Pass 3 Oct 2024 135,925 miles

Lower sill lips damaged, nsf floor at water drain plug corroded

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

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine, gear box and rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 19 Sep 2024 135,923 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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Lower sill lips damaged, nsf floor at water drain plug corroded

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

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine, gear box and rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 8 Aug 2024 135,920 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

Integral body structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced FRONT JACKING POINTS (BOTH) (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 13 Feb 2024 135,892 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))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Coil spring mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

corrosion to rear inner arches, floors,sills, undersills

multi oil leaks, front wishbone bushes deteriorated and movement at limit, play in steering joints ,

Pass 18 Jan 2023 135,827 miles

Aux drive belts deteriorated

Brake pipes and under body undersealed and greased.

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Oil wetness at engine and rear diff

Osr upper suspension PA corroded

Fail 9 Jan 2023 135,825 miles

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Offside Rear Seat belt not functioning as intended (7.1.2 (c))

Aux drive belts deteriorated

Brake pipes and under body undersealed and greased.

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Oil wetness at engine and rear diff

Osr upper suspension PA corroded

Pass 11 Jan 2022 135,654 miles

Front brake hoses minor cracking

Nsf ball joint boot cracking

Osf suspension PA minor swelling

Play at front lower arm inner bushes ( rear arms )

Pass 26 Jan 2021 135,254 miles

hand brake imbalanced, minor play at steering, multi oil leaks, front arm rear bushes cracking, rear brake pipe corroded

Fail 14 Dec 2020 135,167 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt x2 (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt x2 (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

multi oil leaks, front arm rear bushes craking, rear brake pipe corroded, exhaust rubber broken

Pass 17 Dec 2019 135,052 miles

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

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

Fail 11 Dec 2019 135,043 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outter/inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

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))

Pass 17 Dec 2018 134,669 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated rear arm (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 12 Dec 2018 134,661 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor to sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated rear arm (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 5 Jan 2018 134,006 miles

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill inner and outer (5.2.6)

Offside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

sill covers fitted

Pass 9 Jan 2017 133,792 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 26 Nov 2015 132,002 miles

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both inner and outer cills (5.2.6)

exhaust rubbers perishing

Pass 2 Dec 2014 130,155 miles

Offside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Pass 9 Dec 2013 128,896 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Oil leak

Pass 7 Dec 2012 128,413 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Fail 7 Dec 2012 128,409 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 aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Pass 8 Dec 2011 127,828 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 8 Dec 2011 127,826 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 10 Dec 2010 127,174 miles

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

offside rear coil spring upper cup slightly corroded

Fail 2 Dec 2010 127,169 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

offside rear coil spring upper cup slightly corroded

Pass 30 Nov 2009 122,065 miles

multi guards fitted, oil leaks, o/s front roll bar link minor play, n/s middle floor rusty, front flexys cracking, front wishbone rear bushes

Fail 26 Nov 2009 121,980 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

multi guards fitted, oil leaks, o/s front roll bar link minor play, n/s middle floor rusty, front flexys cracking, front wishbone rear bushes

Pass 2 Dec 2008 115,944 miles
Pass 1 Dec 2007 110,720 miles
Pass 30 Nov 2006 106,051 miles
Pass 2 Dec 2005 100,307 miles
Fail 2 Dec 2005 100,307 miles

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

hand brake unbalanced

n/s front tyre worn on outer edge

oil leak

oil on steering knuckle

oil wetness on rear diff

sill and arch covers fitted

slight play in steering joints

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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M16 JER is a 1994 BMW 540 in Red with a 3,982cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

Across all 1994 BMW 540 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.5% with a typical mileage of 139,134 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 M16 JER, 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 32 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 M16 JER?

You can check the full history of M16 JER by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M16 JER registered?

M16 JER is a 1994 BMW 540, first registered on 1 August 1994.

Is M16 JER safe to buy?

The MOT history for M16 JER 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 M16 JER 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 M16 JER. 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.