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N43 SMV

1996 BMW 540

Silver Petrol 3982cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Dec 2020
Tests16 (9 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate56.3%

Mileage

194,124 mi
Last recorded194,124 miles
Recorded on3 Dec 2019
Typical for 1996 BMW 540125,563 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

RegistrationN43 SMV
MakeBMW
Model540
Year1996
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,982cc

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

9 pass 7 fail
Pass 3 Dec 2019 194,124 miles

cooling fan clutch allows engine to over heat

Fail 3 Dec 2019 194,123 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn front bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength front of wheel at sub frame mounting (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn front swivel bushes excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn front bush worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Intermediate drop arm insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Intermediate drop arm insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings (2.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

cooling fan clutch allows engine to over heat

Pass 17 Aug 2018 190,011 miles

Most brake pipes covered in grease preventing full inspection

Nearside Front steering idler play near to maximum allowance

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 16 Aug 2018 190,009 miles

Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))

Most brake pipes covered in grease preventing full inspection

Nearside Front steering idler play near to maximum allowance

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 18 May 2017 185,630 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 15 May 2017 185,624 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 24 Oct 2012 185,602 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Airbag warning light is on

Headlamp masks/converters fitted

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Rear Fluid suspension unit interconnecting pipe corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.D.3)

Rear Fluid suspension unit supply pipe corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.D.3)

Traction warning light is on

Vehicle's internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Pass 12 Dec 2011 180,338 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside steering idler has slight free play in rubber bush

Fail 31 Oct 2011 180,276 miles

Rear Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute (1.4.A.2g)

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

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Front Torque/reaction arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear brake caliper securing device missing (3.5.1j)

Offside Front Torque/reaction arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear brake caliper securing device missing (3.5.1j)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

nearside steering idler has slight free play inrubber bush

Pass 4 Nov 2010 174,606 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 3 Nov 2010 174,606 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 6 May 2009 168,186 miles

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

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 2 Apr 2008 159,862 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 26 Mar 2008 159,838 miles

Offside Outer Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 23 Mar 2007 153,359 miles
Pass 28 Feb 2006 146,288 miles

Front No. Plate cracked

NSF tyre worn on outer edge

OSF tyre worn on outer edge

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

Slight free play in steering suport ball joint

spare tyre defective

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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N43 SMV is a 1996 BMW 540 in Silver with a 3,982cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 16 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.3%.

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 N43 SMV, 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 N43 SMV?

You can check the full history of N43 SMV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N43 SMV registered?

N43 SMV is a 1996 BMW 540, first registered on 11 April 1996.

Is N43 SMV safe to buy?

The MOT history for N43 SMV shows 16 tests with a 56.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N43 SMV 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 N43 SMV. 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.