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Official DVLA Record

1997 BMW 840 4.4L Petrol · R116 APP

R116 APP

1997 BMW 840 (4.4L, petrol). First registered 01 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 104,933 miles. MOT expired on 18 Dec 2025. Currently declared SORN.

Make & Model
BMW 840
Year / Origin
1997 · Reading
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Expired on 18 Dec 2025
Road Tax
SORN
Recorded Mileage
104,933 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 4.4L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Expired
Expired on 18 Dec 2025
Tax Status
SORN
Statutory Off Road (SORN)
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
1997
Engine
4398cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle currently lacks a valid MOT certificate, having failed its most recent test on 17 December 2025. The maintenance trend appears stable but stagnant, as the car passed cleanly in December 2024, December 2023, and December 2022. The lack of recorded defects during these passes suggests a vehicle that has been kept in a roadworthy state, though the most recent failure without listed defects is an anomaly that requires clarification from the seller. The mileage is exceptionally low for a 29 year old vehicle, averaging roughly 3,618 miles per year. Between December 2022 and December 2025, the odometer moved only 467 miles, from 104,466 to 104,933. This pattern indicates the car has spent significant periods standing still rather than being used for regular transport. Low usage often leads to specific mechanical degradations that MOT tests may not immediately catch. A buyer must check for perished rubber components, including suspension bushes and tyre sidewall cracking, as these degrade with age regardless of mileage. The brake system requires a thorough inspection for binding calipers or pitted brake discs caused by prolonged inactivity. Given the age of this BMW 840, structural integrity is the primary concern. You should inspect the chassis and sills for corrosion, as the clean MOT history does not guarantee the absence of surface rust or structural oxidation in hidden areas. Verify the current operational status of the engine and drivetrain to ensure the vehicle has not suffered from seals drying out during its periods of dormancy.
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R116 APP Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT failed on 17/12/2025
  • 104,933 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 2 historical MOT failures
  • 12 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring suspension items (24 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

R116 APP MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 17 Sept 2026, 03:48
MOT Analysis

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 840 (R116 APP) between December 2022 and December 2025.

The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.

The most recent test on 17 December 2025 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (24 issues), Brakes (10 issues), Bodywork (5 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Tyres (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 63 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly re”; “Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))”; “Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

R116 APP Mileage History

  1. 10/12/2022104,466 mi
  2. 18/12/2023104,608 mi+142 mi
  3. 19/12/2023104,608 mi
  4. 12/12/2024104,789 mi+181 mi
  5. 17/12/2025104,933 mi+144 mi

Average of roughly 155 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

May be subject to ULEZ charges

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
45
/ 100 · Below Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average

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.

MOT Expired or Failed
Tax Status Unknown
Average MOT pass rate (60%)
Older vehicle
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Experian Provenance Data

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9 Key Registers

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OUTSTANDING FINANCE

Experian Register

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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

MIAFTR Register

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POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

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SALVAGE & AUCTION

Salvage Registers

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IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

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EXPORTED MARKER

Export Register

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SCRAPPED RECORD

Scrappage Register

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

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Certificate of Destruction Register: [Query Required]
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V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

DVLA Master

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