1997 BMW 8404.4L Petrol

The vehicle shows a concerning trend of structural degradation, particularly regarding the rear suspension mounting points. In the most recent test on 24 September 2025 at 157,430 miles, the car passed only after failing the previous day. That failure highlighted a minor exhaust leak, an SRS fault, incorrect headlamp aim, and an unsafe modification to the nearside front Macpherson strut. Looking back to the 2024 failure at 151,121 miles, the tester identified excessive corrosion on the offside rear suspension mounting and nearside front mounting which significantly reduced structural strength. While the 2024 pass noted some corrosion was not yet excessive, the recurring nature of structural issues in the sills and arches suggests long-term vulnerability. At 157,430 miles, this 29-year-old BMW has covered an average of approximately 5,400 miles per year. However, the low mileage has not prevented the vehicle from significant corrosion. Between 2021 and 2025, the car only covered roughly 6,000 miles, yet the record shows multiple failures for corrosion on brake pipes and subframes. The data indicates the vehicle may have sat for extended periods, which is consistent with the perished tyres noted in 2020 and the ongoing corrosion of fuel and brake lines. The braking and exhaust systems show a history of recurring faults. From 2019 through 2021, the tester repeatedly flagged corroded brake pipes, often covered in grease which can mask the extent of the decay. The exhaust system has shown minor leaks across almost every test, culminating in the noisy exhaust failure in September 2025. A prospective buyer should perform a thorough physical inspection of the rear subframe and sills, as the history confirms that the structural integrity of these areas is a constant concern for this specific example.