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P96 UWX

1997 BMW 540

Red Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Oct 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

153,559 mi
Last recorded153,559 miles
Recorded on12 Sep 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
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP96 UWX
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1997
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

20 pass 12 fail
Pass 12 Sep 2025 153,559 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.2.2 (b))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement suspension arm inner bush worn (rear arm on front suspension) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive engine oil leaks (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 9 Sep 2025 153,547 miles

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

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.2.2 (b))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement suspension arm inner bush worn (rear arm on front suspension) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive engine oil leaks (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 27 Sep 2024 151,190 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Electrical wiring insecure wear indicator / ABS wiring not in securing brackets (4.11 (a) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive engine oil leaks (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive rear differential leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded to fuel tank ()

Steering column top bearing slightly worn slight free play (2.2.2 (b))

Fail 27 Sep 2024 151,190 miles

Offside Rear Other passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

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

Offside Rear Electrical wiring insecure wear indicator / ABS wiring not in securing brackets (4.11 (a) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive engine oil leaks (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear Fluid leak, but not excessive rear differential leaking (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded to fuel tank ()

Steering column top bearing slightly worn slight free play (2.2.2 (b))

Pass 12 Sep 2023 148,703 miles

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

Pass 15 Sep 2022 145,815 miles

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

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

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

Fail 15 Sep 2022 145,814 miles

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

Offside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Pass 6 Oct 2021 143,720 miles

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

Fail 16 Sep 2021 143,696 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear 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 7 Sep 2020 142,088 miles

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

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

Pass 11 Sep 2019 140,524 miles

Offside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on shoulder , plus their is a nail in the tread (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive differential is noisy when rotated (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 10 Sep 2019 140,524 miles

Central Brake pipe excessively corroded 2 pipes and three sections that can be seen by the fuel tank (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Body panel insecure under body panel (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material just under the wheel arch protector (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on shoulder , plus their is a nail in the tread (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive differential is noisy when rotated (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 14 Sep 2018 137,649 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced both rear sills on inner edge (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Fail 14 Sep 2018 137,649 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced both rear sills on inner edge (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Pass 19 Sep 2017 136,471 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Oil leak from diff ()

Fail 19 Sep 2017 136,471 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Oil leak from diff ()

Pass 21 Sep 2016 135,621 miles

Slight free play in steering

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Fail 16 Sep 2016 135,621 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)

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Slight free play in steering

Pass 16 Oct 2015 134,200 miles

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

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

Fail 16 Oct 2015 134,200 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)

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

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

Pass 21 Oct 2014 132,443 miles

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 17 Oct 2013 130,597 miles

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

Fail 15 Oct 2013 130,589 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

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

Pass 18 Oct 2012 120,260 miles

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

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

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

Pass 10 Oct 2011 125,323 miles

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

Pass 20 Oct 2010 123,191 miles

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

Pass 2 Oct 2009 121,005 miles
Pass 16 Oct 2008 117,579 miles
Fail 3 Oct 2007 112,710 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 3 Oct 2007 112,710 miles
Pass 17 Oct 2006 105,572 miles
Fail 17 Oct 2006 105,572 miles

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

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

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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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P96 UWX is a 1997 BMW 540 in Red with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 P96 UWX, 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 P96 UWX?

You can check the full history of P96 UWX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P96 UWX registered?

P96 UWX is a 1997 BMW 540, first registered on 29 January 1997.

Is P96 UWX safe to buy?

The MOT history for P96 UWX shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P96 UWX 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 P96 UWX. 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.