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P331 CFO

1997 BMW 540

Green Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Dec 2026
Tests26 (17 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate65.4%

Mileage

130,647 mi
Last recorded130,647 miles
Recorded on13 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

RegistrationP331 CFO
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

17 pass 9 fail
Pass 13 Dec 2025 130,647 miles

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

Fuel hose deteriorated (6.1.3 (c) (ii))

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Both sides (4.1.4 (b))

Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play Both sides (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 13 Dec 2025 130,647 miles

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

Fuel hose deteriorated (6.1.3 (c) (ii))

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Both sides (4.1.4 (b))

Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play Both sides (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Pass 17 Dec 2024 128,964 miles

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

Direction indicator slightly discoloured All Front And Rear (4.4.3 (a))

Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated Front Both Sides (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Fuel hose deteriorated (6.1.3 (c) (ii))

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Front both sides (4.1.4 (b))

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

Sub-frame ball joint has slight play Front both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 9 Dec 2023 127,913 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Fuel hose deteriorated (6.1.3 (c) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (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 Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Fail 8 Dec 2023 127,913 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Fuel hose deteriorated (6.1.3 (c) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (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 Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear All direction indicators slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 16 Dec 2022 126,523 miles

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

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

oil leak

Fail 10 Dec 2022 126,513 miles

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

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

oil leak

Pass 13 Dec 2021 120,010 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material and brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 20 Nov 2021 119,983 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 Nov 2020 118,249 miles

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

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

Pass 16 Oct 2019 116,001 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Pass 23 Oct 2018 113,593 miles
Fail 15 Oct 2018 113,553 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 hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

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

Pass 30 Oct 2017 111,580 miles
Pass 15 Nov 2016 109,795 miles
Pass 5 Oct 2015 107,706 miles

Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Fail 21 Jun 2011 105,150 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

wear to front brake discs

Pass 21 Jun 2011 105,150 miles

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

wear to front brake discs

Pass 15 Jun 2010 102,105 miles

Nearside Inner Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Fail 12 Jun 2010 102,095 miles

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

Nearside Inner Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Pass 12 Jun 2009 100,393 miles
Fail 8 Jun 2009 100,393 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.D.3a)

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

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

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

Pass 12 Apr 2008 97,245 miles
Pass 3 Apr 2007 90,543 miles
Pass 13 Apr 2006 80,184 miles
Fail 7 Apr 2006 80,182 miles

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

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

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

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

hand brake could do with adjusting.

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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P331 CFO is a 1997 BMW 540 in Green with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.4%.

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 P331 CFO, 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 P331 CFO?

You can check the full history of P331 CFO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P331 CFO registered?

P331 CFO is a 1997 BMW 540, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P331 CFO safe to buy?

The MOT history for P331 CFO shows 26 tests with a 65.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P331 CFO 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 P331 CFO. 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.