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R736 TRW

1998 BMW 540

Blue Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Nov 2025
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

144,591 mi
Last recorded144,591 miles
Recorded on19 Nov 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW 540116,079 mi

Above 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

RegistrationR736 TRW
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1998
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

19 pass 12 fail
Fail 19 Nov 2025 144,591 miles

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

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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Nearside Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases centre pipe (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside headlamp washer missing

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

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

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 25 Oct 2024 139,173 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal and osr inner sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 3 Nov 2023

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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))

Fail 18 Oct 2023

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 225/55/16 99v budget (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 1 Nov 2022 133,381 miles
Fail 1 Nov 2022 133,381 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Fail 13 Jun 2022

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Front brake pad warning wire hanging down

Nearside Front headlamp washer broken

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

Nearside Rear fuel pipes corroded

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

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

Pass 3 Jun 2021 129,204 miles

Central Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material x2 fuel pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement bushes x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside handbrake low effort 18%

Pass 15 Jun 2020 123,996 miles

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement x2 bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material x2 an fuel pipes corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test folded an loaded ()

Pass 22 May 2019 120,963 miles

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement x2 bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material x2 (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test folded an loaded ()

fuel pipes corroded

Fail 20 May 2019 120,962 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill area holed an corroded (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement x2 bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material x2 (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test folded an loaded ()

fuel pipes corroded

Pass 13 Jun 2018 116,053 miles

Rear brake pipes rusty

Rear fuel lines rusty

Fail 23 May 2018 116,049 miles

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

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension unit modified so that its function is seriously affected (5.3.5 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material x2 (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Pass 25 May 2017 109,736 miles

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened x2 (3.5.1i)

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

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

Fail 19 May 2017 109,736 miles

Driver's airbag obviously defective (5.4.1)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

Nearside Rear Air suspension unit totally deflated (2.4.D.1a)

Offside rear brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened x2 (3.5.1i)

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

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened x2 (3.5.1i)

Pass 26 May 2016 102,042 miles

Front Inner brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened x2 (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill area (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill area (2.4.A.3)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened x2 (3.5.1i)

hand brake only 18%

Fail 23 May 2016 102,042 miles

Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt x2 (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Rear Air suspension has no suspension movement x2 (2.4.D.5)

Front Inner brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened x2 (3.5.1i)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill area (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill area (2.4.A.3)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened x2 (3.5.1i)

hand brake only 18%

Pass 12 Jun 2015 95,353 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 9 Jun 2015 95,353 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 3 Jun 2014 88,663 miles
Fail 2 Jun 2014 88,663 miles

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Pass 10 Jun 2013 79,922 miles

Coolant leak

Fail 6 Jun 2013 79,922 miles

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

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

Coolant leak

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

Pass 8 Jun 2012 73,507 miles

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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)

Pass 4 Jun 2011 73,051 miles
Pass 20 May 2010 70,220 miles

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

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

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

Pass 9 Jun 2009 66,859 miles

Nail in offside front tyre

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

Fail 9 Jun 2009 66,859 miles

Nail in offside front tyre

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. (1.8)

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

Pass 9 Jun 2008 62,588 miles
Pass 4 Jun 2007 56,857 miles
Pass 7 Jun 2006 52,297 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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R736 TRW is a 1998 BMW 540 in Blue with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

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 R736 TRW, 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 R736 TRW?

You can check the full history of R736 TRW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R736 TRW registered?

R736 TRW is a 1998 BMW 540, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is R736 TRW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R736 TRW shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R736 TRW 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 R736 TRW. 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.