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S480 LKN

1999 BMW 540

Silver Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Feb 2027
Tests24 (20 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate83.3%

Mileage

165,457 mi
Last recorded165,457 miles
Recorded on7 Feb 2026
Typical for 1999 BMW 540107,004 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationS480 LKN
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1999
ColourSilver
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

20 pass 4 fail
Pass 7 Feb 2026 165,457 miles

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) both front ()

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Suspension arm ball joint has slight play both front lower arms (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened all round (5.3.3 (b) (i))

vehicle has been undersealed

Pass 31 Jan 2025 162,393 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all round (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened all round (5.3.3 (b) (i))

undertrays fitted not allowing complete inspection

vehicle has been undersealed

Pass 8 Dec 2023 155,209 miles

Nearside Front Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill near jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

previous weld repairs undersealed

sill covers fitted

Fail 29 Nov 2023 155,204 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill near jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering box (2.1.5 (a))

previous weld repairs undersealed

sill covers fitted

Pass 23 Sep 2022 154,233 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Steering box has seepage (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 23 Aug 2021 151,062 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

Pass 18 Sep 2020 146,867 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

sill covers preventing full inspection of sills

under trays preventing full inspection of underside components

Pass 20 Sep 2019 138,641 miles

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill ( Plastic cover over sill) (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake imbalance requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill (Plastic cover over sill) (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 22 Aug 2018 126,668 miles

Covers on underbody

Nearside Rear 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))

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

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

Pass 24 Oct 2017 118,410 miles

Nearside front brake binding slightly

Nearside rear brake pipe corroding

Oil leaks

Rear inner brake pads look low

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 24 Oct 2017 118,410 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside front brake binding slightly

Nearside rear brake pipe corroding

Oil leaks

Rear inner brake pads look low

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 12 Sep 2016 101,868 miles

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

front brake discs wearing

front inner brake pads wearing low

front tyres worn on outer edges

Fail 12 Sep 2016 101,868 miles

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

front brake discs wearing

front inner brake pads wearing low

front tyres worn on outer edges

Pass 29 May 2015 86,828 miles
Pass 12 May 2014 86,227 miles

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 20 May 2013 82,857 miles
Fail 7 May 2013 82,852 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Pass 26 Apr 2012 80,376 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Pass 26 Apr 2011 76,581 miles
Pass 10 May 2010 73,938 miles
Pass 12 May 2009 71,632 miles
Pass 12 May 2008 67,652 miles
Pass 1 May 2007 62,688 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2006 56,797 miles

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

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

S480 LKN is a 1999 BMW 540 in Silver with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 83.3%.

Across all 1999 BMW 540 models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.8% with a typical mileage of 107,004 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 S480 LKN, 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 27 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 S480 LKN?

You can check the full history of S480 LKN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S480 LKN registered?

S480 LKN is a 1999 BMW 540, first registered on 28 January 1999.

Is S480 LKN safe to buy?

The MOT history for S480 LKN shows 24 tests with a 83.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S480 LKN 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 S480 LKN. 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.