BMW 540

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 14 model years from 1,645 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

80%

Total Tests

1,645

Highest Pass Rate

1996 (89%)

Years Covered

About the BMW 540

The BMW 540 was MOT tested 1,645 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 14 model years (1993 to 2017), with an average pass rate of 80%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 model has the highest pass rate at 89% from 124 tests. The 1999 model has the lowest at 73%. With a 16 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Older BMW 540s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 4 percentage points across model years.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1993) averages 155,686 miles, while the newest (2017) averages 50,647 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the BMW brand average of 88%, the 540 is 8 points lower, placing it among the less reliable BMW models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2998cc)

£1,958

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,563

Per month£214/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2017 details

How reliable is the BMW 540?

vs average of all models-2% (82% avg)

vs BMW brand average-8% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread16 percentage points

Reliability trendDeclining over years

BMW 540 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2017	80%	60	50,647 mi
2007	79%	38	106,101 mi
2006	70%	33	112,213 mi
2003	76%	75	135,769 mi
2002	82%	169	129,728 mi
2001	83%	168	145,511 mi
2000	88%	180	124,005 mi
1999	73%	168	128,500 mi
1998	84%	300	124,038 mi
1997	84%	185	121,347 mi
1996	89%	124	132,232 mi
1995	87%	60	138,269 mi
1994	59%	44	144,918 mi
1993	90%	41	155,686 mi

Questions about the BMW 540

Is the BMW 540 reliable?

Across its 14 model years in our data (1993 to 2017), the BMW 540 averages an 80% MOT pass rate, from 1,645 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 2 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 1996 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 89%.

Which year BMW 540 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 BMW 540 has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 73%, a 16 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.