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R881 VRK

1997 BMW 540

Green Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Mar 2027
Tests27 (21 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate77.8%

Mileage

114,011 mi
Last recorded114,011 miles
Recorded on20 Feb 2026
Typical for 1997 BMW 540117,944 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR881 VRK
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1997
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

21 pass 6 fail
Pass 20 Feb 2026 114,011 miles
Pass 10 Feb 2025 108,713 miles
Pass 26 Feb 2024 104,711 miles
Pass 10 Mar 2023 102,580 miles

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

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

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

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

Protective undertrays fitted

Pass 4 Oct 2022 102,086 miles

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

Nearside 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 14 Oct 2021 99,229 miles

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

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 4 Oct 2021 99,229 miles

Fuel pipe leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 22 Sep 2021 99,227 miles

Fuel pipe leaking front to rear pipe (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Rear 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))

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

Pass 11 Sep 2020 95,532 miles

Engine bay and under body covers fitted as standard obscuring various testable components

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Inner and outer shoulder wear O/S/F tyre 235 45 17

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm ball joint has slight play Upper rear arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 25 Jul 2019 93,349 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both discs on inside edge (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

engine covers and under trays fitted

Pass 6 Aug 2018 90,700 miles

Engine bay and under body covers fitted obscuring various components

Engine oil leaks

Front brake discs inner faces corroding

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))

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

Slight inner and outer shoulder wear O/S/F tyre

Fail 27 Jul 2018 90,574 miles

Headlamp levelling device inoperative Broken (4.1.5 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions Wrong direction (5.2.3 (i))

Engine bay and under body covers fitted obscuring various components

Engine oil leaks

Front brake discs inner faces corroding

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))

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

Slight inner and outer shoulder wear O/S/F tyre

Pass 1 Aug 2017 87,943 miles

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 27 Jul 2016 85,577 miles

under body trims fitted obscuring items

Pass 7 Aug 2015 82,878 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

fuel lines corroded o/s front arm bush play

Fail 6 Aug 2015 82,878 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp cleaning device inoperative (1.7.2)

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

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Headlamp cleaning device inoperative (1.7.2)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

fuel lines corroded o/s front arm bush play

Pass 6 Aug 2014 80,170 miles

Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 7 Aug 2013 77,779 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 8 Aug 2012 75,814 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front 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 Aug 2011 73,526 miles

BOTH REAR TYRES WEARING ON INSIDE

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Pass 6 Aug 2010 70,169 miles
Pass 3 Aug 2009 66,553 miles
Fail 3 Aug 2009 66,553 miles

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

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

Pass 15 Jul 2008 59,830 miles
Fail 15 Jul 2008

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Jul 2007 52,480 miles
Pass 18 Jul 2006 43,683 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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R881 VRK is a 1997 BMW 540 in Green with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 77.8%.

Across all 1997 BMW 540 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.9% with a typical mileage of 117,944 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 R881 VRK, 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 29 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 R881 VRK?

You can check the full history of R881 VRK by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R881 VRK registered?

R881 VRK is a 1997 BMW 540, first registered on 10 October 1997.

Is R881 VRK safe to buy?

The MOT history for R881 VRK shows 27 tests with a 77.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R881 VRK 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 R881 VRK. 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.