CarVerify

Free Car Check

R438 FAN

1997 BMW 740

Blue Petrol 4398cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 May 2027
Tests20 (17 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate85%

Mileage

Typical for 1997 BMW 740119,456 mi
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

RegistrationR438 FAN
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

17 pass 3 fail
Pass 22 May 2026
Fail 21 May 2026

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Pass 24 May 2025

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated both (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Fail 21 May 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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 2 May 2024 122,811 miles
Pass 23 May 2023 122,481 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge bald on inner edge, perished and sidewall (outer is damaged) also numerous small deep cuts in tread area (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge bald inner edge perished and cracked, numerous small deep cuts in tread area (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 27 May 2022 119,213 miles
Pass 15 Jun 2020 119,084 miles
Pass 23 Mar 2018 119,059 miles
Pass 13 May 2017 118,834 miles
Pass 28 Apr 2016 117,372 miles

1 NSR position light not working.

Fail 20 Apr 2016 117,358 miles

Nearside Headlamp cleaning device inoperative (1.7.2)

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

Offside Headlamp cleaning device inoperative (1.7.2)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

1 NSR position light not working.

Pass 13 Aug 2014 115,689 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2013 113,271 miles
Pass 3 Mar 2012 110,492 miles

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

Steering box has a slight oil leak (2.2.D.2e)

Pass 25 Aug 2010 101,819 miles
Pass 27 Aug 2009 93,773 miles
Pass 22 Aug 2008 87,804 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2007 36,340 miles
Pass 12 Aug 2006 83,690 miles

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

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

R438 FAN is a 1997 BMW 740 in Blue with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 85%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R438 FAN, 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 R438 FAN?

You can check the full history of R438 FAN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R438 FAN registered?

R438 FAN is a 1997 BMW 740, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R438 FAN safe to buy?

The MOT history for R438 FAN shows 20 tests with a 85% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R438 FAN 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 R438 FAN. 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.