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V493 LBH

1999 BMW 540

Red Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Jul 2027
Tests34 (21 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate61.8%

Mileage

227,478 mi
Last recorded227,478 miles
Recorded on27 Jul 2026
Typical for 1999 BMW 540107,004 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationV493 LBH
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1999
ColourRed
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 13 fail
Pass 27 Jul 2026 227,478 miles

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

engine under tray missing

Fail 27 Jul 2026 227,468 miles

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

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

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

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

engine under tray missing

Pass 4 Jul 2025 227,128 miles

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both side (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 11 Jul 2024 223,537 miles

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

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

Pass 28 Jul 2023 218,042 miles

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

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 14 Jul 2022 210,209 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 14 Jul 2022 210,209 miles

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

Headlamp not working on dipped beam nearside and offside (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Pass 12 Dec 2020 206,905 miles

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted inside edge (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Pass 2 Dec 2019 201,794 miles

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

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

Fail 2 Dec 2019 201,794 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed outer sidewall, 235 45 17, (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 19 Nov 2018 195,583 miles
Fail 16 Nov 2018 195,582 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Side repeater lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

Pass 8 Dec 2017 192,081 miles
Fail 6 Dec 2017 192,078 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 7 Dec 2016 186,917 miles
Fail 7 Dec 2016 186,917 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Pass 4 Dec 2015 180,314 miles

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

Fail 4 Dec 2015 180,314 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Dec 2014 172,369 miles
Fail 4 Dec 2014 172,369 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 28 Feb 2014 168,986 miles
Fail 17 Feb 2014 168,866 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 27 Feb 2013 162,596 miles

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)

Oil leak

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

offside front track rod slight play

slight run out on front brake discs

Fail 27 Feb 2013 162,596 miles

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

Oil leak

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

offside front track rod slight play

slight run out on front brake discs

Pass 16 Apr 2012 158,137 miles

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

Pass 19 May 2011 154,389 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2010 151,633 miles

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 6 Jul 2009 148,739 miles

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

Offside Front Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Fail 6 Jul 2009 148,739 miles

Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

Offside Front Steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.B.1g)

Pass 3 Jul 2008 144,997 miles

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

Fail 30 Jun 2008 144,982 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecure (2.4.G.1)

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

Pass 25 Jun 2007 141,071 miles

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

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

Pass 7 Jul 2006 136,034 miles
Fail 6 Jul 2006 136,034 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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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V493 LBH is a 1999 BMW 540 in Red with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.8%.

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 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 V493 LBH, 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 V493 LBH?

You can check the full history of V493 LBH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was V493 LBH registered?

V493 LBH is a 1999 BMW 540, first registered on 31 December 1999.

Is V493 LBH safe to buy?

The MOT history for V493 LBH shows 34 tests with a 61.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does V493 LBH 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 V493 LBH. 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.