BMW 4 Series MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW 4 Series. Check any 4 Series by registration number below.

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87.7%

Avg Pass Rate

-2.2%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Excellent

Reliability

BMW 4 Series — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW 4 Series has an average MOT pass rate of 87.7%, which is 2.2 percentage points below the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a strong result, indicating that the 4 Series is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

The most common reasons a BMW 4 Series fails its MOT are tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre cords visible or damaged, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage. If you are preparing your 4 Series for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used BMW 4 Series, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the BMW 4 Series performs at MOT across different model years.

2019

Based on 170 vehicles

93.5%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

4.2%

Mileage at 5yr

37k mi

2018

Based on 505 vehicles

94.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.8%

Retest Rate

6.9%

Mileage at 5yr

39k mi

2017

Based on 166 vehicles

89.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.4%

Retest Rate

10.3%

Mileage at 5yr

56k mi

2016

Based on 71 vehicles

87.3%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

9.6%

Retest Rate

17.3%

2015

Based on 89 vehicles

82.0%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.4%

Retest Rate

15.3%

Mileage at 10yr

120k mi

2014

Based on 951 vehicles

85.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.7%

Retest Rate

15.1%

Mileage at 10yr

132k mi

2013

Based on 2,081 vehicles

82.9%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

5.0%

Retest Rate

23.2%

Mileage at 10yr

145k mi

0

Based on 1,461 vehicles

85.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 5yr

74k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW 4 Series

The most common reasons a BMW 4 Series fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

2.5%

A tyre cords visible or damaged

2.0%

A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage

1.4%

A tyre seriously damaged

1.2%

Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen

1.2%

BMW 4 Series Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Front Nearside

1.2%

Rear Offside

1.2%

Rear Nearside

1.2%

Other BMW Models

Compare MOT reliability across BMW models.

BMW 420d Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

90.4% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d Sport

87.3% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d M Sport X Auto

87.0% pass rate

BMW 550

82.4% pass rate

BMW 316 I

89.0% pass rate

BMW 540i Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

75.6% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for BMW 4 Series

BMW 4 Series — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW 4 Series MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 4 Series?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW 4 Series is 87.7% compared to the BMW average of 89.9%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 4 Series?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 4 Series are: Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (2.5%), A tyre cords visible or damaged (2.0%), A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage (1.4%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the BMW 4 Series reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 87.7%, the BMW 4 Series is rated as "Excellent" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a BMW 4 Series?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a BMW 4 Series?

Typical mileage for the BMW 4 Series: 37,492 miles at 5 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 4 Series to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW 4 Series's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.