BMW 4 Series: what fails at MOT
207,000 MOT tests on the BMW 4 Series in 2024, counted. 13.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
13.2% of BMW 4 Series tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 19.6%, so the 4 Series does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (4.2% of tests), lights and electrics (1.4% of tests) and brakes (1.2% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,389 | 8.9% | 10.9% | 23,400 16,800 to 32,100 |
| 2020 | 8,775 | 9.7% | 11.5% | 29,300 21,900 to 38,700 |
| 2019 | 20,228 | 11.5% | 13.4% | 38,800 28,300 to 50,600 |
| 2018 | 30,545 | 11.8% | 15.6% | 48,100 35,500 to 61,900 |
| 2017 | 34,495 | 12.6% | 18.2% | 59,100 44,700 to 76,100 |
| 2016 | 35,888 | 13.4% | 21.3% | 69,500 53,000 to 88,900 |
| 2015 | 36,353 | 14.9% | 24.4% | 77,500 60,100 to 97,900 |
| 2014 | 25,580 | 17.2% | 27.7% | 83,100 63,900 to 104,500 |
| 2013 | 3,072 | 19.3% | 30.6% | 92,200 70,100 to 115,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of BMW 4 Series tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 4 Series | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 4.2% | 3.9% | |
| Lights and electrics | 1.4% | 4.1% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 1.2% | 2.8% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 1.0% | 3.2% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 0.9% | 2.3% | Less than most |
| Wheels | 0.5% | 0.2% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.3% | 1.2% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.4%
- Tyre tread1.1%
- Brake pads0.7%
- Washers0.6%
- Headlamp aim0.6%
- Shock absorbers0.5%
- Wheel fixings0.3%
- Headlamp0.2%
- Number plates0.2%
- Wipers0.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.9%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.6%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.5%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.5%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.3%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.2%
- Wheel fixings: fixing missing0.2%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.9%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)1.7%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil1.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing1.0%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.0%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a BMW 4 Series's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.