CarVerify

Free Car Check

R254 VYX

1998 BMW 540

Blue Petrol 4398cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires16 Jan 2026
Tests25 (17 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate68%

Mileage

92,791 mi
Last recorded92,791 miles
Recorded on17 Jan 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW 540116,079 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR254 VYX
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

17 pass 8 fail
Pass 17 Jan 2025 92,791 miles

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

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

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

Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Jacking points (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 17 Jan 2025 92,788 miles

Rear Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Jacking points (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 13 Oct 2022 90,478 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Inner Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sill panel - jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened Inc suspension components (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 29 Nov 2021 90,423 miles

Brake pad(s) worn down to wear indicator (1.1.13 (a) (i))

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))

Exhaust catalytic converter obviously modified (8.2.1.1 (a))

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear Inner Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Outer Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

both front headlamp lens deteriorated

both front headlamps converted to HDI bulbs

Pass 3 Dec 2020 85,295 miles

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

General corrosion

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 2 Dec 2020 85,283 miles

Emission control equipment obviously modified Cats been cut open (8.2.2.1 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

General corrosion

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Nov 2019 82,934 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Sep 2018 80,990 miles

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

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

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

Fail 22 Sep 2018 80,990 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 9 Dec 2017 78,995 miles
Pass 26 Nov 2016 74,837 miles

Central Front brake disc modified but not seriously weakened wearing thin (3.5.1n)

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

vehicle significantly lowered

Fail 26 Nov 2016 74,837 miles

Central Front brake disc modified but not seriously weakened wearing thin (3.5.1n)

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

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating (1.1.A.3b)

vehicle significantly lowered

Pass 27 Nov 2015 72,514 miles
Pass 19 Nov 2014 71,761 miles

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

Oil leak

Pass 3 Oct 2013 71,168 miles
Fail 27 Sep 2013 71,167 miles

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Pass 14 Dec 2012 69,541 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 May 2011 68,941 miles

Nail in offside front tyre

Nearside front jacking point rubber missing

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

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

Pass 11 May 2010 64,315 miles

Rear no. plate combing effect. Need new one.

Pass 7 May 2009 59,188 miles

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

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)

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

Pass 9 May 2008 52,786 miles
Fail 9 May 2008 52,732 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.0mm (4.1.E.2b)

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

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.0mm (4.1.E.2b)

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

Pass 1 May 2007 47,483 miles
Fail 1 May 2007 47,483 miles

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

Pass 11 May 2006 42,442 miles

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R254 VYX is a 1998 BMW 540 in Blue with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68%.

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 R254 VYX, 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 R254 VYX?

You can check the full history of R254 VYX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R254 VYX registered?

R254 VYX is a 1998 BMW 540, first registered on 1 May 1998.

Is R254 VYX safe to buy?

The MOT history for R254 VYX shows 25 tests with a 68% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R254 VYX 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 R254 VYX. 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.