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R1 ESA

1998 BMW 540

Blue Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires24 Apr 2026
Tests20 (12 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

159,196 mi
Last recorded159,196 miles
Recorded on25 Apr 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW 540116,079 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR1 ESA
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1998
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

12 pass 8 fail
Pass 25 Apr 2025 159,196 miles

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

Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Both sills front to rear (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 28 Jun 2023 157,252 miles
Pass 9 Apr 2021 156,029 miles
Fail 8 Apr 2021 156,029 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play all four (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced underbody (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 19 Jun 2019 152,633 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated offside & nearside (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Fail 19 Jun 2019 152,633 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated offside & nearside (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Pass 13 Jun 2018 150,145 miles

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

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear tyre wearing on outer edge.

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

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

Fail 11 Jun 2018 150,145 miles

Central Rear Seat belt buckle missing (7.1.2 (d))

Fuel cap/sealing device missing (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fuel pipe leaking excessively or a risk of fire (6.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear tyre wearing on outer edge.

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

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

Pass 13 Jun 2017 149,011 miles
Pass 1 Jul 2016 148,983 miles

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

Nearside Front The tyre is slightly cracked on the side wall

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

Fail 23 Jun 2016 148,982 miles

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (3.6.G.2)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Headlamp levelling device obviously defective (1.7.2)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Nearside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front The tyre is slightly cracked on the side wall

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

Pass 6 Feb 2012 145,221 miles

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

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

movement in bushes in lower suspension arms [rear bush n/s and o/s ]

n/s sill covered by trim

Pass 25 Aug 2010 137,745 miles

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

mirror arm backing missing

slight movement in rear wishbone bushes o/s and n/s

Fail 11 Aug 2010 137,728 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

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

mirror arm backing missing

slight movement in rear wishbone bushes o/s and n/s

Pass 19 Jun 2009 130,948 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

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

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

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

Fail 10 Jun 2009 130,943 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nail in offside rear tyre

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

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

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

Pass 9 May 2007 118,436 miles

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

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

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

Fail 8 May 2007 118,433 miles

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

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose has insufficient room to move, resulting in fouling on any part (3.6.B.4a)

Nearside Front Brake hose twisted (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

Pass 18 May 2006 104,478 miles
Fail 26 Apr 2006 104,457 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Brake cable has wires broken but is not significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

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

Offside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

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

oil leak

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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R1 ESA is a 1998 BMW 540 in Blue with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1998 BMW 540 models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.2% with a typical mileage of 116,079 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 R1 ESA, 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 28 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 R1 ESA?

You can check the full history of R1 ESA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R1 ESA registered?

R1 ESA is a 1998 BMW 540, first registered on 19 March 1998.

Is R1 ESA safe to buy?

The MOT history for R1 ESA shows 20 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R1 ESA 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 R1 ESA. 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.