CarVerify

Free Car Check

R471 ABH

1997 BMW 840

Black Petrol 4398cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires12 May 2026
Tests23 (12 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate52.2%

Mileage

120,298 mi
Last recorded120,298 miles
Recorded on26 Jun 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 840100,467 mi

Above 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 £14.99

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

RegistrationR471 ABH
MakeBMW
Model840
Year1997
ColourBlack
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 11 fail
Fail 26 Jun 2026 120,298 miles

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

Fuel pipes corroded

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

Offside rear inner and outer sill corroded

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded x 2 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear exhaust corroded

Pass 13 May 2025 120,136 miles

Corrosion in nearside and offside rear sills and wheel arches

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 9 May 2025 120,136 miles

Nearside Rear Fuel system component leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Corrosion in nearside and offside rear sills and wheel arches

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Mar 2024 119,643 miles

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

Exhaust system slightly Deteriorated

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

fuel pipes front to rear slightly corroded

sill covers fitted not allowing full inspection

Fail 7 Feb 2024 119,637 miles

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

Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Exhaust system slightly Deteriorated

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

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

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

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

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

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

sill covers fitted not allowing full inspection

Pass 8 Nov 2018 137,705 miles

Coil spring corroded All Four (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust System Deteriated

Fuel Pipe/s corroded Front-to-Rear

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

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

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

Underneath of Vehicle Corroded

Fail 7 Nov 2018 137,702 miles

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Forward (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Coil spring corroded All Four (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust System Deteriated

Fuel Pipe/s corroded Front-to-Rear

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

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

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

Underneath of Vehicle Corroded

Fail 24 Sep 2018 137,685 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Inner Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

All Coil Springs Corroded

Brake Assist Lamp Indicating a fault

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (1.1.10 (f))

Exhaust System Deteriated

Fuel Pipe/s corroded Excessively, Front-to-Rear

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

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

Underneath of Vehicle Corroded

Pass 11 Oct 2017 137,593 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Outer sill corroded

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

Offside Rear Inner sill corroded

Offside fuel pipes corroded

Rear diff noisy

Fail 9 Oct 2017 137,593 miles

Nearside Rear brake caliper securing device missing (3.5.1j)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear brake caliper securing device loose fitted wrong (3.5.1j)

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

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

Nearside Rear Outer sill corroded

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

Offside Rear Inner sill corroded

Offside fuel pipes corroded

Rear diff noisy

Pass 20 Oct 2016 136,600 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded to flexi hose (3.6.B.2c)

front to rear fuel pipes corroded

nearside rear caliper (outer spring) missing

Fail 17 Oct 2016 136,588 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded to flexi hose (3.6.B.2c)

front to rear fuel pipes corroded

nearside rear caliper (outer spring) missing

Pass 28 Feb 2013 135,138 miles

Front brake discs corroded

Front to rear fuel pipes corroded

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 27 Feb 2013 135,138 miles

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

Nearside Rear Passenger's seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.A.2)

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

Front brake discs corroded

Front to rear fuel pipes corroded

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 8 Mar 2012 134,429 miles
Fail 29 Feb 2012 134,426 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Mar 2011 133,670 miles
Fail 24 Feb 2011 133,664 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Oct 2009 124,423 miles
Pass 6 Oct 2008 116,750 miles
Pass 15 Oct 2007 115,583 miles
Fail 5 Oct 2007 115,572 miles

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

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

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

both rear traling arn bushes slightly split

fuel pipes corroding

n/s/r drop link slight play

Pass 19 Sep 2006 111,985 miles

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

front nearside tyre worn on inner edge

How Reliable is the BMW 840?

Based on 28,318 MOT tests across 1,862 vehicles.

74.4%
Pass Rate
1,508
Miles/Year
33
Year Lifespan
1,862
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 937
Headlamp aim too low 780
Brake pipe excessively corroded 741
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 554
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 499
Full BMW 840 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

R471 ABH is a 1997 BMW 840 in Black with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52.2%.

Across all 1997 BMW 840 models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.1% with a typical mileage of 100,467 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 840 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 937 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R471 ABH, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW 840 typically stays on UK roads for around 33 years. At 29 years old, this BMW 840 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R471 ABH?

You can check the full history of R471 ABH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R471 ABH registered?

R471 ABH is a 1997 BMW 840, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R471 ABH safe to buy?

The MOT history for R471 ABH shows 23 tests with a 52.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R471 ABH 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 R471 ABH. 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.