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R44 WLS

1998 BMW 540

Green Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Jul 2027
Tests36 (20 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

117,910 mi
Last recorded117,910 miles
Recorded on15 Jul 2026
Typical for 1998 BMW 540116,079 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR44 WLS
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

20 pass 16 fail
Pass 15 Jul 2026 117,910 miles

A/C belt cracking

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

all suspension coil springs corroded

general underbody components corroded

o/s/r lamp cracked

slight wear o/s/f tyre edge

Fail 15 Jul 2026 117,910 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

A/C belt cracking

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

all suspension coil springs corroded

general underbody components corroded

n/s/f fog light inop

o/s/r lamp cracked

slight wear o/s/f tyre edge

Pass 22 Jul 2025 117,180 miles

A/C drive belt cracking

Coil spring corroded All 4 heavy corrosion (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Fuel tank straps corrosion

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

Nearside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess Corrosion (1.1.15 (a))

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

Offside Front Bumper dropped down and headlight trim missing

Offside Front Tyre wear to inside edge

Offside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess Corrosion (1.1.15 (a))

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Lamp unit cracked

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

Suspension components corrosion

Fail 22 Jul 2025 117,180 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

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

A/C drive belt cracking

Coil spring corroded All 4 heavy corrosion (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Fuel tank straps corrosion

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

Nearside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess Corrosion (1.1.15 (a))

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

Offside Front Bumper dropped down and headlight trim missing

Offside Front Tyre wear to inside edge

Offside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess Corrosion (1.1.15 (a))

Offside Rear Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Lamp unit cracked

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

Suspension components corrosion

Pass 26 Jun 2024 115,679 miles

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

general underbody components corroded

headlamps slightly clouded

o/s/f bumper dropped+headlight trim missing

Fail 26 Jun 2024 115,679 miles

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

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

Rear Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

general underbody components corroded

headlamps slightly clouded

o/s/f bumper dropped+headlight trim missing

Pass 16 Jun 2023 114,572 miles

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

general underbody components corroded

headlamp lenses clouded

o/s/f bumper insecure/dropped

Fail 16 Jun 2023 114,572 miles

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

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

general underbody components corroded

headlamp lenses clouded

o/s/f bumper insecure/dropped

o/s/r tyre badly cracked+edge smooth

Pass 24 May 2022 113,462 miles
Fail 5 May 2022 113,429 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn front arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

o/s/r tyre worn to 3mm+inner edge smooth

underbody components corroded

Pass 2 Feb 2021 110,686 miles

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

slight wear/corrosion on front brake discs

Fail 2 Feb 2021 110,686 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

slight wear/corrosion on front brake discs

Pass 5 Feb 2020 109,878 miles

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

remote oil filter housing insecure

underbody components corroded

Fail 5 Feb 2020 109,878 miles

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

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

remote oil filter housing insecure

underbody components corroded

Pass 5 Feb 2019 108,309 miles

corrosion on front brake pipes

oil leaks

Fail 4 Feb 2019 108,309 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

corrosion on front brake pipes

oil leaks

Pass 7 Feb 2018 106,313 miles
Fail 6 Feb 2018 106,313 miles

Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a track control arm inner bush (2.5.B.2b)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a track control arm inner bush (2.5.B.2b)

Fail 10 Jan 2018 106,092 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear - outer (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt rear - outer (2.4.G.2)

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside Rear Handbrake cable bracket broken, cable loose.

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.1.A.3b)

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak

Pass 22 Dec 2016 102,996 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Nearside Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Oil leak

osf washer jet poor but sufficient fluid to screen.

Fail 22 Dec 2016 102,996 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded

Nearside Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Side repeater slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Oil leak

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault (5.4.2)

osf washer jet poor but sufficient fluid to screen.

Pass 8 Dec 2015 100,531 miles

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

Inner Body has slight corrosion sills (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

both front tyres perished and cracked on outer edge.

fuel pipes corroded.

nsf tyre perished on outer sidewall.

oil leak.

Fail 7 Dec 2015 100,530 miles

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

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

Inner Body has slight corrosion sills (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

both front tyres perished and cracked on outer edge.

front wipers smear.

fuel pipes corroded.

nsf tyre perished on outer sidewall.

oil leak.

Pass 29 Oct 2014 98,506 miles

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

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

nsf tyre bald on edges

nsf tyre cracked and perished

oil leak

osf head lamp adjuster defective

osf tyre bald on edges

osf tyre cracked and perished

Fail 24 Oct 2014 98,429 miles

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp levelling device obviously defective (1.7.2)

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

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

nsf tyre bald on edges

nsf tyre cracked and perished

oil leak

osf head lamp adjuster defective

osf tyre bald on edges

osf tyre cracked and perished

Pass 18 Nov 2013 96,492 miles
Pass 26 Oct 2012 92,888 miles

Oil leak

Pass 31 Oct 2011 81,618 miles

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

Oil leak

Fail 14 Oct 2010 86,480 miles

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Oil leak

Pass 14 Oct 2010 86,480 miles

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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)

Oil leak

Fail 5 Oct 2009 82,686 miles

Front registration plate incorrect (6.3.1a)

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

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

Rear registration plate incorrect (6.3.1a)

Pass 5 Oct 2009 82,686 miles

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

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

Pass 22 Aug 2008 76,288 miles

O/S AND N/S FRONT TYRE WALLS SLIGHT CUT VEHICLE PRESENTER ADVISED OF THIS

Oil leak

Pass 13 Aug 2007 71,826 miles

Nearside Inner Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Inner Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 1 Aug 2006 66,722 miles

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

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

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

Fail 1 Aug 2006 66,722 miles

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

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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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R44 WLS is a 1998 BMW 540 in Green with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

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 R44 WLS, 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 R44 WLS?

You can check the full history of R44 WLS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R44 WLS registered?

R44 WLS is a 1998 BMW 540, first registered on 17 April 1998.

Is R44 WLS safe to buy?

The MOT history for R44 WLS shows 36 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R44 WLS 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 R44 WLS. 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.