BMW 540 (2017)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 60 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,563

£214/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

2998cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £2,563/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific BMW 540

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol2998cc9 years old60 tests51k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2998cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,563

Per month£214/mo

Per week£49/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

80% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

80% of MOT tests on BMW 540s from 2017 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 7 years old. That's based on 60 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 50,647 miles.

Got a BMW 540 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 models491st of 540(bottom 10%)

Rank among BMW models1351st of 1,548(bottom 13%)

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

vs 2017 models average-7%(87% avg)

vs BMW average-8%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

50,647

Average miles

51,800

Expected for age

The average 2017 BMW 540 had 50,647 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific BMW 540?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 73%. The 2017 scores 80%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 5 Series

2018 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,413/year

91%

+11%

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2018 · 2995cc Petrol

£2,413/year

93%

+13%

BMW X3

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,413/year

92%

+12%

Mercedes GLC

2019 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,413/year

93%

+13%

Check a Specific BMW 540

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2017 BMW 540

The 2017 BMW 540 is a premium performance car. Our records list a 2998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 60 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 10% of 2017 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 50,647 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 540 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2017 BMW 540 Fuel Costs

The 2998cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2017 BMW 540?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,563 (£214/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 540 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.

Buying a Used 2017 BMW 540

At 9 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 1996 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. Note: with only 60 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 9 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2017 BMW 540 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
BMW 540(2017)	80%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,563
BMW 5 Series(2018)	91%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413-£150
Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2018)	93%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413-£150
BMW X3(2019)	92%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413-£150
Mercedes GLC(2019)	93%	£1,958	£200	Grp 30-42	£2,413-£150

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2017 BMW 540

Is the 2017 BMW 540 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 80% of MOT tests on 2017 BMW 540s ended in a pass, from 60 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.

How much does a 2017 BMW 540 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,563 a year (£214 a month): £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 BMW 540?

80% of 60 MOT tests on the 2017 BMW 540 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 491st of 540 models first registered in 2017 (bottom 10%).

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% and the 1999 the lowest at 73%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2017 BMW 540?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2017 BMW 540 is 50,647 miles, which is in line with the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.