CarCostCheck

BMW 640 (2011)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,116 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,045

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2993cc Diesel

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2045/year to run. 7 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific BMW 640

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

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Diesel2993cc15 years old1,116 tests86k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2993cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2993cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,045
Per month£170/mo
Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this BMW 640

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%.

At 15 years old, 89% of BMW 640s from 2011 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,116 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 86,228 miles.

Got a BMW 640 you're looking at?

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

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2011 cars120th of 615(top 20%)
Rank among BMW models814th of 1,564(top 52%)
vs national average+7%(82% avg)
vs 2011 cars average+12%(77% avg)
vs BMW average+1%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

86,228

Average miles

vs

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2011 BMW 640 has 86,228 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific BMW 640?

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

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2015 model with a 90% MOT pass rate, while the 2017 model has the lowest at 87%. The 2011 sits between the two at 89%.

BMW 640 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201888%1,66850,131 mi
201787%2,56256,072 mi
201690%4,30067,077 mi
201590%5,00775,816 mi
201489%4,80983,025 mi
201388%3,38993,395 mi
201287%2,75695,804 mi
201189%1,11686,228 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Bmw 640

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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2011 BMW 640

The 2011 BMW 640 is a premium performance with a 2993cc diesel engine. 1,116 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 20% of all 2011 cars for reliability.

With an average of 86,228 miles at 15 years old, BMW 640 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2011 BMW 640 Fuel Costs

The 2993cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2011 BMW 640?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,045 170/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 640 Reliability Trend

The BMW 640 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2011 BMW 640

At 15 years old, the BMW 640 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2015 model has the highest pass rate at 90%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2011 BMW 640's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 86k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 2011 BMW 640 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
BMW 640(2011)89%£1245£395Grp 30-42£2045
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(2013)88%£1245£250Grp 30-42£1900-£145
AUDI A4(2011)82%£1245£250Grp 30-42£1900-£145
JAGUAR XF(2013)82%£1245£250Grp 30-42£1900-£145
AUDI A5(2013)85%£1245£250Grp 30-42£1900-£145

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Bmw Models

Explore other Bmw cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Bmw 640.

Check a specific BMW 640

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a BMW 640? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB