BMW 540
From 1,498 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, a suspension pin and bush or joint excessively worn. The top issue, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, caused 51 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 51 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 43 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 40 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 35 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 33 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 25 |
| warning device shows system malfunction | 16 |
| lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 16 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 15 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 15 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 44.3% of failures are serious: 39.1% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 5.2% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £99.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 76.4% | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2001 | 82.2% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a door will not open using the relevant control or close properly |
| 2000 | 84.9% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 1999 | 71.1% | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
3 earlier years
| 1998 | 82.2% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 1997 | 76% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 1996 | 82.8% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
Typical mileage
Half of all 540s tested had between 81,080 and 167,692 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 113,779 median miles, the 540 has 0.018 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW 540 MOT pass rate?
The BMW 540 has a 80% MOT pass rate based on 1,498 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 540?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 540 is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, which caused 51 failures. Other common issues include windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 540 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 540 is 113,779 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 81,080 and 167,692 miles.
Buying a used 540?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 80% pass rate and an average repair bill of £99 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.