CarVerify

Free Car Check

P288 SMR

1996 BMW 840

Red Petrol 4398cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires24 Sep 2025
Tests23 (17 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate73.9%

Mileage

138,852 mi
Last recorded138,852 miles
Recorded on25 Sep 2024
Typical for 1996 BMW 840105,519 mi

Above 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 £14.99

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

RegistrationP288 SMR
MakeBMW
Model840
Year1996
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

17 pass 6 fail
Pass 25 Sep 2024 138,852 miles

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

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 18 May 2023 138,715 miles
Fail 11 May 2023 138,693 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))

Pass 6 May 2022 138,107 miles
Pass 12 Mar 2021 137,749 miles

both inner sills corroded

both front (rear most) suspension arm ball joint dust covers perished

both front brake hoses perished & cracking

both front metal brake pipes corroded

both front shock absorbers weak

offside rear metal brake pipe heavily corroded

Fail 1 Mar 2021 137,746 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt outer ball joint (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords inner sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

both front (rear most) suspension arm ball joint dust covers perished

both front brake hoses perished & cracking

both front metal brake pipes corroded

both front shock absorbers weak

both inner sills corroded

offside rear metal brake pipe heavily corroded

Pass 6 Nov 2019 137,140 miles

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 12 Nov 2018 136,716 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to back on offside (1.1.11 (c))

Exhaust noisy Rattle in mid sections and silencer (8.1.1 (a))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

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

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both sides, marked in yellow (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Dec 2017 136,231 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front section (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside remainder of outer cill covered with manufacturers plastic body moulding at time of test

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded near subframe mounting (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear shock absorber shroud insecure

Offside remainder of outer cill covered with manufacturers plastic body moulding at time of test

Oil leak ()

front - rear fuel pipe badly corroded next to petrol tank but not leaking at time of test

Fail 14 Dec 2017 136,226 miles

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 Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded outer cill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp reverse lights affected and vice versa (1.3.2f)

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded outer cill (2.4.A.3)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front section (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside remainder of outer cill covered with manufacturers plastic body moulding at time of test

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded near subframe mounting (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear shock absorber shroud insecure

Offside remainder of outer cill covered with manufacturers plastic body moulding at time of test

Oil leak ()

front - rear fuel pipe badly corroded next to petrol tank but not leaking at time of test

Pass 31 Aug 2016 136,137 miles

chassis rusty in places

under trays fitted

Fail 31 Aug 2016 136,137 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

chassis rusty in places

under trays fitted

Pass 10 Sep 2015 135,921 miles
Pass 16 Aug 2014 135,240 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2013 135,023 miles

All 4 Tyres have age related cracking on the tread

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

Nearside Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Fail 14 Sep 2013 135,023 miles

All 4 Tyres have age related cracking on the tread

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

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

Nearside Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Pass 18 Aug 2012 134,667 miles
Pass 5 Sep 2011 134,358 miles

surface rust on metal brake pipes

Pass 21 Aug 2010 133,391 miles
Pass 25 Jul 2009 132,452 miles
Pass 5 Aug 2008 125,206 miles
Pass 26 Sep 2006 127,030 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

Fail 21 Sep 2006 126,850 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Steering box has relative movement between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.2.B.1b)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a)

How Reliable is the BMW 840?

Based on 28,318 MOT tests across 1,862 vehicles.

74.4%
Pass Rate
1,508
Miles/Year
33
Year Lifespan
1,862
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 937
Headlamp aim too low 780
Brake pipe excessively corroded 741
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 554
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 499
Full BMW 840 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

P288 SMR is a 1996 BMW 840 in Red with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.9%.

Across all 1996 BMW 840 models, the average MOT pass rate is 74.4% with a typical mileage of 105,519 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 840 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 937 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P288 SMR, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 840 typically stays on UK roads for around 33 years. At 30 years old, this BMW 840 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P288 SMR?

You can check the full history of P288 SMR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P288 SMR registered?

P288 SMR is a 1996 BMW 840, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is P288 SMR safe to buy?

The MOT history for P288 SMR shows 23 tests with a 73.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P288 SMR 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 P288 SMR. 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.