2016 BMW 640 3.0L Diesel · SB51 ALB

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward reactive rather than proactive upkeep. The latest test in November 2025 at 55,257 miles resulted in a pass despite an advisory for a nearside front tyre worn near the legal limit. This follows a significant failure in November 2024 where the car presented multiple safety defects related to tyres and brake components. While the vehicle passed its subsequent retest, the recurrence of tyre issues suggests that basic consumable maintenance is only addressed when an MOT failure occurs. The mileage profile is notably low for a ten-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 5,500 miles per year. There is a clear gap between May 2022 and May 2023, where the car covered only 8,170 miles. However, the usage increased significantly between May 2023 and November 2024, with the car covering over 9,000 miles in just eighteen months. This pattern of low-mile-age use often leads to the degradation of rubber components due to age, which is consistent with the cracking and perishing tyres noted in the 2024 record. A buyer must prioritise inspecting the condition of the tyres and suspension assembly during a physical inspection. The 2024 failure highlighted exposed cords on the offside rear inner tyre and perishing on the nearside front, indicating potential alignment issues or uneven wear. The report of thin nearside rear brake pads in that same test suggests that the braking system requires a thorough check to ensure discs are not scored or pitted. Given the low annual mileage, the inspector should also check for seized brake calipers and perished rubber bushings, which are frequently affected by vehicles that sit stationary for long periods.