BMW > 5 SERIES > 540I

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HOW MANY BMW 540I ARE LEFT?

There are 39 BMW 540I left on the road in the UK (i.e. with valid road tax). There are a further 80 BMW 540I that are currently SORNED.

The total number of BMW 540I was highest during 2001 Q4 (282). The number taxed topped out in 2001 Q4 and the total SORNed was at its maximum during 2022 Q4.

Since the total peaked, some 163 (58%) BMW 540I have been scrapped or exported.

During 2018 Q3 the number of BMW 540I that were off the road (SORN) exceeded the number that were licensed for the first time. This could indicate the owners are reluctant to sell or scrap their car as they view them as a potential future classic.

In the last 10 years the total number of BMW 540I has fallen by 31. Licensed models have fallen by 63 and the SORNed total has increased by 32.

The 5 year trend shows a total decline of 8 BMW 540I models. Taxed models have declined by 4 and the SORNed total has fallen by 4.

67% of the remaining 119 BMW 540I in the UK are currently off the road.

HOW MANY BMW 540I ARE TAXED & SORNED

YEAR TAXED SORNED TOTAL CHANGE
1996 Q46306363
1997 Q4144014481
1998 Q4220022076
1999 Q4250025030
2000 Q4277027727
2001 Q428202825
2002 Q42790279-3
2003 Q427902790
2004 Q42760276-3
2005 Q427602760
2006 Q42600260-16
2007 Q4250122622
2008 Q323127258-4
2008 Q4236232591
2009 Q122824252-7
2009 Q223215247-5
2009 Q321526241-6
2009 Q422019239-2
2010 Q120627233-6
2010 Q220823231-2
2010 Q3205272321
2010 Q418929218-14
2011 Q1185372224
2011 Q217732209-13
2011 Q316641207-2
2011 Q415743200-7
2012 Q115444198-2
2012 Q215131182-16
2012 Q3148381864
2012 Q414242184-2
2013 Q113839177-7
2013 Q213534169-8
2013 Q3128411690
2013 Q411147158-11
2014 Q110749156-2
2014 Q2113431560
2014 Q3117441615
2014 Q49649145-16
2015 Q1104471516
2015 Q210248150-1
2015 Q39651147-3
2015 Q493561492
2016 Q18558143-6
2016 Q294511452
2016 Q391551461
2016 Q487591460
2017 Q18455139-7
2017 Q285541390
2017 Q37661137-2
2017 Q474671414
2018 Q16665131-10
2018 Q266661321
2018 Q362711331
2018 Q45972131-2
2019 Q15376129-2
2019 Q25572127-2
2019 Q358731314
2019 Q45179130-1
2020 Q149821311
2020 Q24384127-4
2020 Q349791281
2020 Q453761291
2021 Q15276128-1
2021 Q253761291
2021 Q35374127-2
2021 Q452751270
2022 Q14976125-2
2022 Q250751250
2022 Q350771272
2022 Q439891281
2023 Q14182123-5
2023 Q24478122-1
2023 Q344791231
2023 Q440861263
2024 Q13686122-4
2024 Q240871275
2024 Q33886124-3
2024 Q43682118-6
2025 Q135831180
2025 Q239801191

How Rare Is My Car analyses 'road tax' data from the DVLA, this dataset is only available from 1994 onwards.

DVLA vehicle licensing statistics last updated 23/10/2025.