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P578 PLP

1997 BMW 740

Blue Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires8 Jul 2025
Tests16 (11 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate68.8%

Mileage

Typical for 1997 BMW 740119,456 mi
4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP578 PLP
MakeBMW
Model740
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

11 pass 5 fail
Fail 18 Jun 2025

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 carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Rear Brake valve leaking (1.1.7 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 9 Jul 2024 131,029 miles

All four brake discs heavily pitted

All four tyres heavily perished and cracked

Pass 6 Jul 2023 131,021 miles

Offside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords perished tyre wall (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Pass 1 May 2018 131,010 miles
Pass 1 Feb 2018 131,009 miles
Pass 30 Jan 2017 129,876 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

Offside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Fail 16 Nov 2016 129,832 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated 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)

Pass 7 Apr 2014 129,800 miles

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

Fail 26 Feb 2014 129,800 miles

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

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

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 Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (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)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Pass 25 Jun 2012 129,741 miles

Nearside Front Lower Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 13 Jul 2011 128,713 miles
Pass 24 Feb 2010 128,220 miles
Fail 23 Feb 2010 128,220 miles

Offside Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 15 Feb 2008 127,613 miles
Fail 15 Feb 2008 127,613 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 29 Sep 2006 125,762 miles

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

How Reliable is the BMW 740?

Based on 66,909 MOT tests across 7,677 vehicles.

77.7%
Pass Rate
5,446
Miles/Year
34
Year Lifespan
7,677
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2,288
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 1,736
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 1,281
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,245
Brake pipe excessively corroded 1,224
Full BMW 740 reliability report

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P578 PLP is a 1997 BMW 740 in Blue with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 16 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68.8%.

Across all 1997 BMW 740 models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.6% with a typical mileage of 119,456 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 740 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 2,288 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P578 PLP, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 740 typically stays on UK roads for around 34 years. At 29 years old, this BMW 740 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P578 PLP?

You can check the full history of P578 PLP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P578 PLP registered?

P578 PLP is a 1997 BMW 740, first registered on 20 February 1997.

Is P578 PLP safe to buy?

The MOT history for P578 PLP shows 16 tests with a 68.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P578 PLP 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 P578 PLP. 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.