1997 BMW 5 Series 2.8L Petrol · P946 SUL
1997 BMW 5 Series (2.8L, petrol). First registered 20 Jun 1997. Recorded mileage 140,026 miles. MOT valid until 16 Jan 2027.
- Make & Model
- BMW 5 SERIES
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 16 Jan 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 140,026 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
P946 SUL Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 16/01/2026
- 140,026 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P946 SUL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 BMW 5 Series (P946 SUL) between November 2021 and January 2026.
The record contains 5 passes and 0 failures.
No failures or advisories appear anywhere in the recorded tests, so the documented MOT record is relatively clean.
P946 SUL Mileage History
- 29/11/2021138,221 mi
- 25/11/2022138,391 mi+170 mi
- 05/01/2024138,631 mi+240 mi
- 17/01/2025139,552 mi+921 mi
- 16/01/2026140,026 mi+474 mi
Average of roughly 437 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
Known faults for BMW 5 Series (E39)
Our database tracks 5 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (P946 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as P946SUL.
TVR
CHIMAERA
MITSUBISHI
LANCER
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
VOLKSWAGEN
TRANSPORTER
TOYOTA
PASEO
HARLEY DAVIDSON
FATBOY
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
HONDA
CRX
VOLKSWAGEN
CARAVELLE
LAND ROVER
DEFENDER
HONDA
ST1100
SUZUKI
GSF1200
BMW 5 SERIES Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1997 model year cars.
- Cooling System "Explosion"Serious
Plastic radiators, expansion tanks, and water pump impellers fail with age. One overheating event can warp the aluminium head or blow the head gasket on straight-six and V8 models.
- Thrust Arm Bush Failure (50mph Shimmy)Moderate
The front suspension relies on large rubber hydro-bushes in the thrust arms. When these leak or tear, the car develops a severe vibration through the steering wheel.
- V8 Timing Chain Guide FailureSerious
On 540i models, the U-shaped plastic timing chain guide shatters, leading to potential engine destruction if the chain jumps.
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.