CarVerify

Free Car Check

P21 DDL

1997 BMW 540

Blue Petrol 4398cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 May 2027
Tests30 (21 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate70%

Mileage

94,422 mi
Last recorded94,422 miles
Recorded on23 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 540117,944 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP21 DDL
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1997
ColourBlue
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

21 pass 9 fail
Pass 23 Apr 2026 94,422 miles

Front Headlamp lens slightly defective both (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

corrosion on suspension components

Pass 16 May 2025 91,635 miles
Fail 13 May 2025 91,631 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 16 May 2024 88,133 miles
Fail 10 May 2024 88,130 miles

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

Pass 17 Mar 2023 75,111 miles

all tyres slightly perished

Pass 11 Nov 2021 74,771 miles

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

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

manufactures covers fitted

Fail 10 Nov 2021 74,767 miles

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

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

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

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

manufactures covers fitted

Pass 22 Oct 2020 74,619 miles
Fail 28 Sep 2020 74,604 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

engine / underbody + sill covers fitted

rear subframe mounting points signs of corrosion

Pass 15 Oct 2019 73,844 miles

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

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Fail 27 Sep 2019 73,797 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view stone chip (3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 12 Oct 2018 73,570 miles

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

Pass 17 Oct 2017 72,801 miles
Fail 17 Oct 2017 72,799 miles

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)

Pass 11 Oct 2016 71,976 miles

Ball joint has slight play centre ball joint off steering box (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside centre left baffle noisy within box

Pass 1 Oct 2015 70,283 miles

Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Inner Body has slight corrosion sill (6.1.B.2)

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

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

exhaust catalyst rattle

fuel tank strap corroded

rear brakes noisey

Pass 14 Oct 2014 67,989 miles

Fuel tank straps showing signs of corrosion

O/S/F ARB link upper boot small split

Pass 2 Oct 2013 65,492 miles

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

both catalytic converter internal baffles loose and rattling inside

Fail 1 Oct 2013 65,492 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

both catalytic converter internal baffles loose and rattling inside

Pass 15 Oct 2012 64,712 miles

All four tyre walls cracked

Pass 28 Sep 2011 63,772 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

all four tyres starting to perish on tyre sidewall

Pass 11 Oct 2010 625,196 miles

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

n/s/r outter tyre wall cracking

o/s/r tyre outter wall cracking

Pass 29 Sep 2009 60,240 miles
Fail 10 Oct 2008 56,708 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Pass 10 Oct 2008 56,708 miles
Pass 25 Oct 2007 55,066 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

neraside rear brake binding slightly

rear registration plate slightly deteriorated

Pass 24 Oct 2006 51,635 miles

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

both front tyres wearing on outer edges and slightly cracking

Pass 27 Oct 2005 50,390 miles
Fail 25 Oct 2005 50,381 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

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

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

P21 DDL is a 1997 BMW 540 in Blue with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 P21 DDL, 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 P21 DDL?

You can check the full history of P21 DDL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P21 DDL registered?

P21 DDL is a 1997 BMW 540, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P21 DDL safe to buy?

The MOT history for P21 DDL shows 30 tests with a 70% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P21 DDL 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 P21 DDL. 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.