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P199 FOD

1997 BMW 540

Green Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Jan 2027
Tests35 (20 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

197,066 mi
Last recorded197,066 miles
Recorded on5 Jan 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 540117,944 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP199 FOD
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 15 fail
Pass 5 Jan 2026 197,066 miles

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

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

Rust hole in boot floor

Pass 16 Jan 2025 196,473 miles

Boot floor rusty

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

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

Pass 4 Jan 2024 195,743 miles

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

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

Pass 30 Jan 2023 195,214 miles
Fail 5 Jan 2023 195,213 miles

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

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded both front to rear ()

Pass 15 Dec 2021 194,559 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

both rear under sills corroding at rear

Pass 30 Dec 2020 193,887 miles

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

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

fuel pipes rusty

Pass 30 Dec 2019 193,484 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 19 Dec 2019 193,444 miles

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

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

Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated all 4 (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded both front to rear ()

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

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated both perishing (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive by jacking points (5.3.6 (a) (i))

auxillery belt cracking

sill covers fitted

under trays fitted

Pass 7 Dec 2018 191,994 miles

Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated all 4 joints (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive by jacking points (5.3.6 (a) (i))

auxiliary belt cracking

front to rear fuel pipes corroded

sill covers fitted

under trays fitted

Pass 21 Dec 2017 191,057 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded front to rear ()

Oil leak ()

front lower ball joint boots cracking

rust around nearside jacking point

rust around offside front jacking point/sill

Fail 7 Dec 2017 191,037 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded undersill (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded undersill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside 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)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Fuel Pipe/s corroded front to rear ()

Oil leak ()

front lower ball joint boots cracking

rust around nearside jacking point

rust around offside front jacking point/sill

Fail 5 Dec 2017 191,034 miles

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Front Brake pipe slightly corroded both pipes to flexys (3.6.B.2c)

Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both lower front most joints (2.4.G.2)

Fuel Pipe/s corroded both front to rear ()

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Nearside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.2.6)

Oil leak ()

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated both (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

sill covers fitted

under tray fitted

Pass 15 Dec 2016 189,470 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated both front (3.6.B.4d)

Front Brake pipe slightly corroded pipes to flexys (3.6.B.2c)

Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both (2.4.G.2)

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced both (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

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

Oil leak ()

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

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

catalysts rattling internally

fuel pipes front to rear corroded

sill covers fitted

under trays fitted

Fail 13 Dec 2016 189,448 miles

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

Brake hose slightly deteriorated both front (3.6.B.4d)

Front Brake pipe slightly corroded pipes to flexys (3.6.B.2c)

Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both (2.4.G.2)

Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced both (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

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

Oil leak ()

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

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

catalysts rattling internally

fuel pipes front to rear corroded

sill covers fitted

under trays fitted

Pass 5 Jan 2016 186,267 miles

both front brake flexis cracking

both rear tyres treads cracking

front lower suspension arms balljoint boots cracking

front to rear fuel pipes corroding

offside and nearside front brake pipes corroding

offside rear tyre tread 2.5mm

rear brake pads getting low

undercutting to rear brake discs

Fail 4 Jan 2016 186,267 miles

Offside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (5.2.6)

both front brake flexis cracking

both rear tyres treads cracking

front lower suspension arms balljoint boots cracking

front to rear fuel pipes corroding

nearside front tyre tread 1.6mm

offside and nearside front brake pipes corroding

offside front tyre tread 2.5mm

offside rear tyre tread 2.5mm

rear brake pads getting low

undercutting to rear brake discs

Pass 4 Jan 2015 181,706 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Oil leak

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

both front tyres worn on edges

fuel pipes badly corroded

top coolant hose bulging

Fail 2 Jan 2015 181,706 miles

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

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Oil leak

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

both front tyres worn on edges

fuel pipes badly corroded

top coolant hose bulging

Fail 4 Oct 2013 176,744 miles

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Oil leak

Pass 4 Oct 2013 176,744 miles

Oil leak

Pass 12 Oct 2012 171,778 miles

bit of oil leak from engine

both rear indicators bulbs fading

front brake discs wearing low to wear indicators inner faces

front number plate backing peeling

front to rear fuel pipes corroding

nearside front brake pipe starting to corrode

nearside front suspension shock absorber bit of play in gland/seal

offside front indicator bulb fading

rust ocurring rear of nearside outer sill

various brake pipes furring

Fail 10 Oct 2012 171,778 miles

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bearing (2.4.G.2)

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

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

bit of oil leak from engine

both rear indicators bulbs fading

front brake discs wearing low to wear indicators inner faces

front number plate backing peeling

front to rear fuel pipes corroding

nearside front brake pipe starting to corrode

nearside front suspension shock absorber bit of play in gland/seal

offside front indicator bulb fading

rust ocurring rear of nearside outer sill

various brake pipes furring

Pass 5 Oct 2011 167,955 miles

Engine missfire

Fuel pipes rusty

Oil leak

Rear tyres getting low on edges

Fail 29 Sep 2011 167,953 miles

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Engine missfire

Fuel pipes rusty

Oil leak

Rear tyres getting low on edges

Pass 28 Sep 2010 161,280 miles

Corrosion on both front brake discs.

Offside rear tyre on 1.6mm LIMIT NOW.

Oil leak from top of engine.

Whining noise from engine at tick over.

Fail 27 Sep 2010 151,279 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Power steering pump leaking from a failed component (2.3.3b)

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

Corrosion on both front brake discs.

Oil leak from top of engine.

Whining noise from engine at tick over.

Pass 24 Sep 2009 153,215 miles

catalyst loose in exhaust

corrosion to nearside front to rear brake pipe

engine oil leak

oil leak from diff

Fail 23 Sep 2009 153,215 miles

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

Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

catalyst loose in exhaust

corrosion to nearside front to rear brake pipe

engine oil leak

oil leak from diff

Fail 7 Oct 2008 148,169 miles

Damp around PAS reservoir

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 7 Oct 2008 148,169 miles

Damp around PAS reservoir

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Pass 11 Oct 2007 140,160 miles

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

Fail 10 Oct 2007 140,160 miles

Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 10 Oct 2006 129,494 miles
Fail 9 Oct 2006 129,494 miles

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

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Oil leak

unable to check outter sills due to plastic covers fitted

unable to fully check front underside of vehicle due to plastic covers fitted

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

P199 FOD is a 1997 BMW 540 in Green with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

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 P199 FOD, 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 P199 FOD?

You can check the full history of P199 FOD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P199 FOD registered?

P199 FOD is a 1997 BMW 540, first registered on 8 April 1997.

Is P199 FOD safe to buy?

The MOT history for P199 FOD shows 35 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P199 FOD 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 P199 FOD. 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.