BMW 4 Series MOT pass rate and common problems
88.9% of 219,697 BMW 4 Series MOT tests pass.
The 4 Series has a pass rate of 88.9%, a little higher than the average across all BMW models (85.5%).
The BMW 4 Series passes its MOT 88.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this BMW 4 Series?
This is the average across every BMW 4 Series in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your BMW’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 91.6% at 0–3 years to 84.2% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 91.6% | 12,747 | 24,261 miles |
| 3–6 years | 90.8% | 54,670 | 40,699 miles |
| 6–10 years | 88.4% | 137,959 | 71,438 miles |
| 10–15 years | 84.2% | 14,321 | 90,469 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the BMW 4 Series
The most common reason the BMW 4 Series fails its MOT is tyres — present in 55.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 55.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.5% | Not working |
| Brakes | 15.6% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 11.9% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Visibility | 10.3% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Road Wheels | 6.4% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 4.1% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.3% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.7% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.8% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used BMW 4 Series: what to check
These checks follow the BMW 4 Series’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the BMW 4 Series comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 88.4% to 84.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 93.1% down to 89.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 55.7% of failed BMW 4 Series MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 20.5% of failed BMW 4 Series MOTs. 5.0% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.3% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 15.6% of failed BMW 4 Series MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 11.9% of failed BMW 4 Series MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.7% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 10.3% of failed BMW 4 Series MOTs. 2.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check BMW service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related BMW models
- BMW 1 Series — 83.7% pass rate
- BMW 5 Series — 85.0% pass rate
- BMW 2 Series — 89.3% pass rate
- BMW X5 — 86.7% pass rate
- BMW X3 — 86.5% pass rate
- BMW X1 — 87.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 4 Series?
- 88.9% of BMW 4 Series MOT tests pass, based on 219,697 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the BMW 4 Series?
- The most common reason the BMW 4 Series fails its MOT is tyres — present in 55.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the BMW 4 Series?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the BMW 4 Series are tyres; lights and electrics; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used BMW 4 Series?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the BMW 4 Series's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the BMW service history guide for how to check and keep one.