CarVerify

Free Car Check

E6 FCH

1996 BMW 540

Beige Petrol 4398cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Dec 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

132,383 mi
Last recorded132,383 miles
Recorded on9 Dec 2025
Typical for 1996 BMW 540125,563 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationE6 FCH
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1996
ColourBeige
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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 9 Dec 2025 132,383 miles

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

both outer sills corroded

Pass 12 Dec 2024 130,873 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Slight corrosion to underbody

Pass 12 Dec 2023 129,582 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Slight corrosion to underbody

Pass 18 Oct 2022 129,204 miles
Pass 19 Mar 2021 128,304 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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 Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Fail 3 Dec 2020 128,301 miles

Driver's airbag obviously inoperative (7.1.5 (c))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

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

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

Pass 22 Nov 2019 127,970 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Fail 18 Nov 2019 127,966 miles

Driver's airbag obviously inoperative (7.1.5 (c))

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

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

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 13 Nov 2018 126,643 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 8 Nov 2018 126,640 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt damaged (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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 16 Nov 2017 121,890 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 17 Nov 2016 117,317 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2016 116,113 miles
Fail 27 Jun 2016 116,113 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Inner Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside front brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside front brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

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

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

Pass 25 Jun 2015 113,954 miles
Fail 24 Jun 2015 113,952 miles

Offside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Pass 2 Jul 2014 111,601 miles

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

Offside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Fail 27 Jun 2014 111,455 miles

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

Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Rear Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

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

Offside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Pass 2 Jul 2013 104,520 miles

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

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

Fail 1 Jul 2013 104,518 miles

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (8.4.1)

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

Nearside Front Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

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

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

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

Pass 27 Oct 2011 101,108 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

front/rear brake discs corroded

Fail 18 Oct 2011 101,108 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Rear Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

front/rear brake discs corroded

Pass 29 Apr 2010 94,211 miles
Fail 28 Apr 2010 94,211 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

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

Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 18 Apr 2009 87,796 miles
Fail 17 Apr 2009 87,796 miles

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

front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

Pass 18 Feb 2008 78,148 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Pass 9 Mar 2007 71,810 miles
Fail 3 Mar 2007 71,810 miles

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

Pass 20 Feb 2006 67,739 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Macpherson strut worn but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.2)

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

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

E6 FCH is a 1996 BMW 540 in Beige with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

Across all 1996 BMW 540 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.2% with a typical mileage of 125,563 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 E6 FCH, 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 30 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 E6 FCH?

You can check the full history of E6 FCH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E6 FCH registered?

E6 FCH is a 1996 BMW 540, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is E6 FCH safe to buy?

The MOT history for E6 FCH shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E6 FCH 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 E6 FCH. 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.