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M50 CDG

1996 BMW 540

Blue Petrol 4398cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Dec 2026
Tests27 (16 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate59.3%

Mileage

133,087 mi
Last recorded133,087 miles
Recorded on19 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationM50 CDG
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1996
ColourBlue
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

16 pass 11 fail
Pass 19 Dec 2025 133,087 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Both center pipe joints have slight blow (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Parking brake has low effort

Fail 5 Dec 2025 132,804 miles

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

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Both center pipe joints have slight blow (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Parking brake has low effort

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid Both Sides feed hose fault (3.5 (a))

Pass 4 Dec 2024 124,488 miles

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

Pass 22 Dec 2023 118,223 miles
Pass 20 Dec 2022 117,032 miles

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

Nearside Front Inner Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Inner Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

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

Fail 29 Nov 2022 117,020 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Inner Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Inner Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

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

Fail 29 Sep 2022 117,002 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Rear Inner Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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 Front Inner Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Inner Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Inner Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 4 Jun 2018 116,947 miles
Fail 2 May 2018 116,909 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Pass 11 May 2017 116,417 miles
Fail 10 May 2017 116,417 miles

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

Pass 9 May 2016 115,854 miles
Pass 15 May 2015 114,974 miles
Fail 11 May 2015 114,969 miles

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

Pass 16 Apr 2014 114,064 miles
Pass 14 Mar 2012 113,998 miles
Fail 23 Feb 2012 113,934 miles

Nearside Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Fuel pipes front to rear corroded

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

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

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

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

Fail 2 Mar 2011 112,947 miles

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 2 Mar 2011 112,947 miles
Pass 23 Feb 2010 111,701 miles
Pass 2 Mar 2009 19,496 miles

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

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Oil leak

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

condensation in nearside headlight

fuel pipes corrode

fuel tank straps corroded

Fail 27 Feb 2009 109,483 miles

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Oil leak

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

condensation in nearside headlight

fuel pipes corrode

fuel tank straps corroded

Pass 7 Mar 2008 105,547 miles

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

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)

Fail 6 Mar 2008 105,527 miles

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

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

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

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

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

front brake discs corroded on inner face

Pass 30 Aug 2007 103,726 miles

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

Fail 30 Aug 2007 103,726 miles

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

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

Pass 30 Aug 2006 100,252 miles

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

fault with o/s door mirror.

full engine,floor pan and sill covers fitted.

n/s/f wheel rim and tyre damaged slightly.

play in both rear lower suspension pins.

slight play in o/s/f antiroll bar drop link.

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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M50 CDG is a 1996 BMW 540 in Blue with a 4,398cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.3%.

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 M50 CDG, 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 M50 CDG?

You can check the full history of M50 CDG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M50 CDG registered?

M50 CDG is a 1996 BMW 540, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is M50 CDG safe to buy?

The MOT history for M50 CDG shows 27 tests with a 59.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M50 CDG 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 M50 CDG. 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.