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R979 VRK

1997 BMW 540

Blue Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires31 Jul 2023
Tests24 (16 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

191,042 mi
Last recorded191,042 miles
Recorded on1 Aug 2022
Typical for 1997 BMW 540117,944 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR979 VRK
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine4,398cc
View full BMW 540 reliability data

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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

16 pass 8 fail
Pass 1 Aug 2022 191,042 miles

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

underbody surface rust

Fail 18 Mar 2022 191,013 miles

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

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 Jan 2020 190,909 miles

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Wing corroded

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Fail 9 Jan 2020 190,909 miles

Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))

Offside Front Brake pipe leaking on an air braking system (1.1.11 (b) (i))

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

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Wing corroded

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Pass 22 Jan 2019 189,924 miles
Fail 21 Jan 2019 189,924 miles

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

Pass 22 Jan 2018 188,698 miles
Fail 11 Jan 2018 188,680 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded both rear pipes above tank (3.6.B.2c)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

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

Pass 11 Jan 2017 187,610 miles
Fail 6 Jan 2017 187,600 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded outer sill to floor (2.4.A.3)

Pass 15 Jan 2016 186,367 miles

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

Pass 15 Jan 2015 185,315 miles

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

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

Fail 9 Jan 2015 185,305 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 16 Jan 2014 183,512 miles

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

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

Pass 5 Jan 2013 178,557 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

Nearside Front Brake hose repaired, but not inappropriately (3.6.A.3)

Pass 9 Jan 2012 161,998 miles

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

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

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

brake pipes covered in copper grease

slight play in steering box at osf wheel

Fail 7 Jan 2012 161,900 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

brake pipes covered in copper grease

slight play in steering box at osf wheel

Pass 10 Jan 2011 146,701 miles
Pass 20 Jan 2010 135,807 miles
Fail 8 Jan 2009 125,014 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 8 Jan 2009 125,014 miles
Pass 25 Jan 2008 112,230 miles
Pass 19 Jan 2007 100,940 miles
Pass 13 Jan 2006 89,938 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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R979 VRK is a 1997 BMW 540 in Blue with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 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 R979 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 R979 VRK?

You can check the full history of R979 VRK by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R979 VRK registered?

R979 VRK is a 1997 BMW 540, first registered on 7 November 1997.

Is R979 VRK safe to buy?

The MOT history for R979 VRK shows 24 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R979 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 R979 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.