BMW M4 MOT pass rate and common problems
92.4% of 37,634 BMW M4 MOT tests pass.
The M4 passes its MOT 92.4% of the time — well above the average across all BMW models, which sits at 85.5%.
The BMW M4 passes its MOT 92.4% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this BMW M4?
This is the average across every BMW M4 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 95.3% at 0–3 years to 91.7% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 95.3% | 2,234 | 19,213 miles |
| 3–6 years | 93.1% | 13,135 | 29,155 miles |
| 6–10 years | 91.7% | 21,553 | 48,772 miles |
| 10–15 years | 91.7% | 712 | 66,990 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the BMW M4
The most common reason the BMW M4 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 57.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has ply or cords exposed".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 57.0% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Suspension | 20.3% | Fractured or broken |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.2% | Too high |
| Identification of the vehicle | 10.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Visibility | 8.3% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Brakes | 7.4% | Excessively fluctuating |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.3% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 2.4% | Fixing missing |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.8% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.4% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used BMW M4: what to check
These checks follow the BMW M4’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 M4 comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 95.3% to 93.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 92.1% down to 89.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 57.0% of failed BMW M4 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. Suspension
Recorded in 20.3% of failed BMW M4 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.3% of tests at 6–10 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.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 14.2% of failed BMW M4 MOTs. 2.5% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 0.7% 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.
4. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 10.6% of failed BMW M4 MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 8.3% of failed BMW M4 MOTs.
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 i3 — 91.0% pass rate
- BMW X4 — 90.8% pass rate
- BMW M3 — 92.2% pass rate
- BMW X6 — 88.8% pass rate
- BMW X2 — 90.0% pass rate
- BMW Z3 — 74.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW M4?
- 92.4% of BMW M4 MOT tests pass, based on 37,634 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the BMW M4?
- The most common reason the BMW M4 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 57.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has ply or cords exposed".
- What are the common problems with the BMW M4?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the BMW M4 are tyres; suspension; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used BMW M4?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; suspension; lights and electrics; number plates and vin; 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 M4'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.