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R281 VRH

1998 BMW 540

Green Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires5 Dec 2024
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

202,413 mi
Last recorded202,413 miles
Recorded on6 Dec 2023
Typical for 1998 BMW 540116,079 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR281 VRH
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1998
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

18 pass 11 fail
Pass 6 Dec 2023 202,413 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear arm inner bush worn. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge bald outer edge and perished. (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge bald outer edge and perished. (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

corrosion to metal brake and fuel lines.

Fail 29 Nov 2023 202,413 miles

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))

Front Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear arm inner bush worn. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge bald outer edge and perished. (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge bald outer edge and perished. (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

corrosion to metal brake and fuel lines.

Pass 1 Nov 2022 199,812 miles

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

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

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

Pass 1 Nov 2021 197,050 miles
Fail 1 Nov 2021 197,024 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

Front Coil spring corroded X2 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

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

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 10 Nov 2020 193,131 miles

Central Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 31 May 2019 187,060 miles
Pass 23 May 2018 168,601 miles

slight blowing from central exhaust joint

slight dampness around engine sump joint

Pass 23 May 2017

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases centre joint (7.1.2)

oil leaks

Fail 23 May 2017

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases centre joint (7.1.2)

oil leaks

Pass 27 May 2016

oil leaks

Pass 27 May 2015 171,544 miles

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

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

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

n/side park brake cable outer deteriorated

o/side park brake cable outer deteriorated

Fail 26 May 2015 171,534 miles

Nearside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Nearside Rear Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Offside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Offside Rear Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e)

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

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

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

n/side park brake cable outer deteriorated

o/side park brake cable outer deteriorated

winter tyres fitted

Pass 16 May 2014 163,109 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

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

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

Fail 15 May 2014 163,099 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

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

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

Pass 21 May 2013 152,669 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Fail 16 May 2013 152,653 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp cleaning device inoperative (1.7.2)

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

Offside Front Upper 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 Headlamp cleaning device inoperative (1.7.2)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Oil leak

Pass 22 May 2012 142,681 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 21 May 2012 142,681 miles

Nearside 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)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Front Air suspension levelling valve insecure (2.4.D.4)

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 18 May 2011 230,754 miles

Bonnet retaining device ineffective (8.4.2)

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

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

Pass 18 May 2011 230,754 miles

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

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

Fail 12 May 2010 125,014 miles

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

Offside Front position lamp(s) not in good working order (function impaired) (1.1.4a)

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

Pass 12 May 2010 125,014 miles

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

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

Pass 20 May 2009 118,657 miles
Fail 20 May 2009 118,657 miles

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

Pass 14 May 2008 108,995 miles
Pass 24 May 2007 102,606 miles
Fail 23 May 2007 102,604 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Pass 24 May 2006 94,478 miles

1. FRONT PADS APPEAR WORN TO LIMIT- RECOMMEND RENEWAL/WHEELS OFF INSPECTION †2. IS CAR DUE SERVICE? IT ONLY JUST PASSED EMISSIONS LIMIT

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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R281 VRH is a 1998 BMW 540 in Green with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.1%.

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 R281 VRH, 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 R281 VRH?

You can check the full history of R281 VRH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R281 VRH registered?

R281 VRH is a 1998 BMW 540, first registered on 11 June 1998.

Is R281 VRH safe to buy?

The MOT history for R281 VRH shows 29 tests with a 62.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R281 VRH 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 R281 VRH. 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.