Bmw 540
Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 14 years from 1,645 real MOT tests.
Avg Pass Rate
80%
Total Tests
1,645
Best Year
1993 (90%)
Years Covered
14
How reliable is the Bmw 540?
Bmw 540 by Year
| 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 |
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About the Bmw 540
The Bmw 540 has been tested 1,645 times in 2024 MOT data across 14 model years (1993 to 2017), with an average pass rate of 80%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as petrol.
Best and Worst Years
The 1993 model is the most reliable with a 90% pass rate from 41 tests. The 1994 model has the lowest at 59%. With a 31 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.
Reliability Trend
The BMW 540 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.
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.
Click any year in the table above to see detailed running costs, individual reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.