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R503 LPG

1998 BMW 540

Green Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Feb 2027
Tests26 (19 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate73.1%

Mileage

Typical for 1998 BMW 540116,079 mi
4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR503 LPG
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

19 pass 7 fail
Pass 12 Feb 2026

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Jacking point area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Jacking point area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 2 Feb 2026

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Jacking point area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Jacking point area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 24 Jan 2025 129,346 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Feb 2024 125,667 miles

Both sides sill covers fitted

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

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

Nearside Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Pass 7 Feb 2023

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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 Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 20 Jan 2022 121,329 miles

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

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

Parking brake performance only just reaches required standard.

Fail 7 Jan 2022 121,319 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside low effort from parking brake

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

Pass 11 Jan 2021 120,638 miles
Fail 9 Dec 2020 120,638 miles

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))

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

Pass 14 Sep 2019 119,600 miles

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

Nearside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Outer Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge and cracking (5.2.3 (e))

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

fuel tank staps corroded

output both headlights slightly reduced

wear and slight pitting front discs

Fail 5 Sep 2019 119,583 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded both front to rear by fuel tank (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Outer Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge and cracking (5.2.3 (e))

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

fuel tank staps corroded

nearside rear brake pipe above axle nearing corrosion limit

output both headlights slightly reduced

wear and slight pitting front discs

Pass 29 Aug 2018 117,963 miles

Nearside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

both rear tyres worn on inner edges

fuel tank staps corroded

Pass 14 Jul 2017

HANDBRAKE READING 17%, MINIMUM REQUIREMENT 16%

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly chafed (3.6.B.4d)

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

both front tyres low on edges

both rear tyres badly worn inner edges

centre brake light disconnected

nearside mirror faded

output both headlights slightly reduced

Fail 14 Jul 2017

HANDBRAKE READING 17%, MINIMUM REQUIREMENT 16%

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly chafed (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

both front tyres low on edges

both rear tyres badly worn inner edges

centre brake light disconnected

nearside mirror faded

output both headlights slightly reduced

Pass 1 Feb 2016 111,919 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly chafed (3.6.B.4d)

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

centre brake light disconnected

front brake application slightly uneven

nearside mirror faded

offside headlight output reduced

under trays fitted

Pass 2 Oct 2014 109,462 miles

Hole in nearside rear outer drive shaft gaiter.

Fail 2 Oct 2014 109,462 miles

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

Hole in nearside rear outer drive shaft gaiter.

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

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

Pass 7 Aug 2013 105,433 miles
Fail 6 Aug 2013 105,433 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 17 Jul 2012 103,205 miles

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

front tyres perished

Pass 27 Jul 2011 102,031 miles

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)

Pass 5 Jul 2010 99,211 miles
Pass 19 Sep 2008 85,196 miles

Nearside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Pass 22 Nov 2007 81,259 miles
Pass 4 Dec 2006 75,049 miles

Nearside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Nearside rear brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Pass 15 Dec 2005 71,011 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

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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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R503 LPG is a 1998 BMW 540 in Green with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.1%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R503 LPG, 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 R503 LPG?

You can check the full history of R503 LPG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R503 LPG registered?

R503 LPG is a 1998 BMW 540, first registered on 1 January 1998.

Is R503 LPG safe to buy?

The MOT history for R503 LPG shows 26 tests with a 73.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R503 LPG 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 R503 LPG. 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.