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P41 GVJ

1997 BMW 540

Green Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Mar 2027
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

113,075 mi
Last recorded113,075 miles
Recorded on27 Mar 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP41 GVJ
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 11 fail
Pass 27 Mar 2026 113,075 miles

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

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively NSF&OSF (1.2.1 (e))

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement NSF&OSF lower -rear arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (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 Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Worn on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated NSR&OSR cracking - perishing (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Fail 26 Mar 2026 113,068 miles

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

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively NSF&OSF (1.2.1 (e))

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement NSF&OSF lower -rear arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (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 Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Worn on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated NSR&OSR cracking - perishing (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Pass 14 Mar 2025 112,432 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated NSR&OSR cracking! (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively NSF&OSF, close to excessive (1.2.1 (e))

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement NSF&OSF lower - rear arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Fail 14 Mar 2025 112,432 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated NSR&OSR cracking! (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively NSF&OSF, close to excessive (1.2.1 (e))

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement NSF&OSF lower - rear arm bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen Both, NSF&OSF (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Pass 28 Mar 2024 109,256 miles

Front Service brake binding but not excessively NSF&OSF (1.2.1 (f))

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated NSR&OSR cracking! (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively All four, NSF&OSF + NSR&OSR (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 31 Mar 2023 103,930 miles

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Fail 24 Mar 2023 103,926 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Pass 18 Mar 2022 98,767 miles

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

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing cracked in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing cracked in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 13 Mar 2021 93,989 miles

Front Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source but not adversely affecting light intensity both (4.2.3 (b) (ii))

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

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

Fail 9 Mar 2021 93,987 miles

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

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

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

Battery went flat on test

Coolant leak ()

Front Position lamp has a product on the lens or light source but not adversely affecting light intensity both (4.2.3 (b) (ii))

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

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

Pass 6 Mar 2020 90,882 miles

Offside Steering box slight play between sector shaft and the drop arm (2.1.3 (a) (ii))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All four tyre cracking on outer edge and wall. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 7 Mar 2019 85,853 miles
Pass 28 Mar 2018 85,746 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2018 85,746 miles

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 22 Mar 2017 85,296 miles

Nearside Front headlamp just past aim

Pass 18 Sep 2015 84,705 miles
Fail 18 Sep 2015 84,705 miles

Front registration plate delaminated (6.3.1d)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 30 Sep 2014 84,098 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 23 Sep 2014 84,098 miles

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 18 Sep 2013 83,359 miles

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

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

Pass 17 Sep 2012 81,200 miles
Fail 17 Sep 2012 81,197 miles

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Pass 21 Sep 2011 79,687 miles

all rear steel brake and fuel pipes advanced corrosion evident

rear axle leaks oil

Fail 20 Sep 2011 79,687 miles

Nearside Front Lower Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

Rear Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only (3.1.2)

all rear steel brake and fuel pipes advanced corrosion evident

rear axle leaks oil

Pass 13 Sep 2010 78,325 miles

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

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

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

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

air bag light on

general corrosion

wiper blades split at ends

Pass 25 Sep 2009 77,286 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

air bag light on

offside front jacking block missing

rear number plate loose on nearside

wiper blades worn

y rated tyres fitted on nsf/osf and osr, w rated tyre fitted on nsr

Fail 24 Sep 2009 77,278 miles

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

air bag light on

offside front jacking block missing

rear number plate loose on nearside

wiper blades worn

y rated tyres fitted on nsf/osf and osr, w rated tyre fitted on nsr

Pass 2 Oct 2008 76,191 miles

FRONT INNER BRAKE DISC'S STARTING TO PIT.?

N/S & O/S REAR TOP LINK ARMS PLAY.

N/S & O/S REAR TYRES WORN ON EDGE NEAR TO EXPOSING CORD.?

N/S/R TYRE INNER SIDEWALL SPLIT NEAR TO CORD.?

Pass 18 Sep 2007 73,806 miles
Fail 17 Sep 2007 73,796 miles

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

N/S/R TYRE WORN ON EDGE.

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

Pass 18 Sep 2006 72,719 miles

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

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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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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.

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P41 GVJ is a 1997 BMW 540 in Green with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 P41 GVJ, 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 P41 GVJ?

You can check the full history of P41 GVJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P41 GVJ registered?

P41 GVJ is a 1997 BMW 540, first registered on 13 February 1997.

Is P41 GVJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for P41 GVJ shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P41 GVJ 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 P41 GVJ. 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.