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R794 NDS

1998 BMW 540

Black Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires8 Feb 2024
Tests4 (1 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate25%

Mileage

293,547 mi
Last recorded293,547 miles
Recorded on9 Jun 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW 540116,079 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR794 NDS
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1998
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

1 pass 3 fail
Fail 9 Jun 2025 293,547 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect no pattern visible (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Headlamp lens seriously defective scratched/misty (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect no pattern visible (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp lens seriously defective scratched/misty (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

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

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

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (1.1.10 (f))

Coil spring corroded all 4 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front axle/suspension components rusty

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Nearside Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

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

Rear n/s and o/s inner sills corroded

Pass 9 Feb 2023 290,370 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front exhaust pipe flange defective/ deteriorated

Nearside Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside bonnet release cable stiff/ frayed/ notchy to operate

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced n/s and o/s inner sill support panels by rear jacking points corroded/ weak (6.1.1 (c) (i))

n/s and o/s plastic sill covers fitted obstructing full inspection

Fail 9 Feb 2023 290,370 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front exhaust pipe flange defective/ deteriorated

Nearside Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside bonnet release cable stiff/ frayed/ notchy to operate

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced n/s and o/s inner sill support panels by rear jacking points corroded/ weak (6.1.1 (c) (i))

n/s and o/s plastic sill covers fitted obstructing full inspection

Fail 11 Jan 2023 290,365 miles

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

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

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases center section joints (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect beam image for left hand drive (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect beam image for left hand drive (4.1.2 (c))

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive nearside & offside rear sill area's corroding (5.3.6 (a) (i))

covers fitted to sills unable to fully inspect

nearside front exhaust flange deteriorating

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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R794 NDS is a 1998 BMW 540 in Black with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 4 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 25%.

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 R794 NDS, 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 R794 NDS?

You can check the full history of R794 NDS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R794 NDS registered?

R794 NDS is a 1998 BMW 540, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is R794 NDS safe to buy?

The MOT history for R794 NDS shows 4 tests with a 25% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R794 NDS 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 R794 NDS. 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.