BMW 4 Series
From 2,727 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer 4 Seriess fare better: 2018 models pass at 96.2% vs 83.4% for 2013.
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged and tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 56 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a tyre seriously damaged | 56 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 56 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 53 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 36 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 30 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 24 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 14 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 14 |
| a tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. this includes any lifting of the tread rubber | 13 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 11 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 48.9% of 4 Series failures are safety items (worn brakes, tyre damage, steering play). The car still drives, but you shouldn't. Only 11.7% are the kind that would actually strand you. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £97.
Fuel type matters
Petrol versions pass at 88.9% while Diesel versions pass at 83.6%, a 5 percentage point gap.
BMW 4 Series on UK roads
The fleet is growing: 2,244 newly registered in the past year with 1,127 leaving, a net gain of 1,117. Currently at its highest numbers ever.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 108,973 | 2,166 | +515 | -515 | +0 |
| 2025 Q2 | 108,996 | 2,143 | +568 | -45 | +523 |
| 2025 Q1 | 108,357 | 2,259 | +735 | -77 | +658 |
| 2024 Q4 | 107,919 | 2,039 | +426 | -490 | -64 |
| 2024 Q3 | 108,311 | 1,711 | +840 | -467 | +373 |
| 2024 Q2 | 107,995 | 1,654 | +706 | -254 | +452 |
| 2024 Q1 | 107,474 | 1,723 | +794 | -404 | +390 |
| 2023 Q4 | 107,156 | 1,651 | +666 | -368 | +298 |
20 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 420I M Sport Auto | Petrol | 17,416 | 21% |
| 420D M Sport Auto | Diesel | 13,016 | 15% |
| 420D Gran Coupe M Sport Auto | Diesel | 8,457 | 10% |
| 435D Xdrive M Sport Auto | Diesel | 6,316 | 8% |
| 420I Gran Coupe M Sport Auto | Petrol | 5,542 | 7% |
| 430D M Sport Auto | Diesel | 3,432 | 4% |
| 435D Xdrive Grancoupe Msport A | Diesel | 3,391 | 4% |
| 420D Xdrive Grancoupe Msport A | Diesel | 2,941 | 3% |
| 430I M Sport Auto | Petrol | 2,871 | 3% |
| 420D Xdrive M Sport Auto | Diesel | 2,735 | 3% |
| 440I M Sport Auto | Petrol | 2,658 | 3% |
| 420D M Sport | Diesel | 2,460 | 3% |
| 430D Gran Coupe M Sport Auto | Diesel | 1,911 | 2% |
| 420D M Sport Mhev Auto | Hybrid Electric (Diesel) | 1,766 | 2% |
| 440I Gran Coupe M Sport Auto | Petrol | 1,766 | 2% |
| 428I M Sport Auto | Petrol | 1,635 | 2% |
| 430D Xdrive Grancoupe Msport A | Diesel | 1,592 | 2% |
| 420D Gran Coupe M Sport | Diesel | 1,439 | 2% |
| 435I M Sport Auto | Petrol | 1,408 | 2% |
| 420I Gran Coupe M Sport | Petrol | 1,371 | 2% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 96.2% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. this includes any lifting of the tread rubber |
| 2014 | 85.8% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2013 | 83.4% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
Typical mileage
Half of all 4 Seriess tested had between 17,941 and 78,994 miles on the clock.
At 58,261 median miles, the 4 Series has 0.024 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW 4 Series MOT pass rate?
The BMW 4 Series has a 86.1% MOT pass rate based on 2,727 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW 4 Series?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW 4 Series is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 56 failures. Other common issues include a tyre cords visible or damaged.
How many BMW 4 Seriess are on UK roads?
There are 108,973 BMW 4 Seriess currently licensed on UK roads, with 2,166 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW 4 Series at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW 4 Series is 58,261 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 17,941 and 78,994 miles.
Buying a used 4 Series?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.