BMW X4
From 33,692 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer X4s fare better: 2021 models pass at 90.4% vs 86% for 2014.
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements and a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 554 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 | 554 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 525 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 355 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 354 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 284 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 265 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 192 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 132 |
| number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 124 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 81 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 17% of X4 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 41.3% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £99.
The warranty question
A new X4 passes its MOT 92.6% of the time. By 7 years old that drops to 86.8%, a 5.8 percentage point fall, right as the manufacturer warranty runs out. With an average repair bill of £99 when things go wrong, an extended warranty can make sense on a X4 that's past its third birthday.
BMW X4 on UK roads
The fleet is growing: 766 newly registered in the past year with 339 leaving, a net gain of 427. Currently at its highest numbers ever.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 19,471 | 302 | +201 | -54 | +147 |
| 2025 Q2 | 19,328 | 298 | +134 | -73 | +61 |
| 2025 Q1 | 19,261 | 304 | +136 | -45 | +91 |
| 2024 Q4 | 19,221 | 253 | +295 | -167 | +128 |
| 2024 Q3 | 19,135 | 211 | +270 | -147 | +123 |
| 2024 Q2 | 18,992 | 231 | +251 | -89 | +162 |
| 2024 Q1 | 18,863 | 198 | +195 | -0 | +294 |
| 2023 Q4 | 18,584 | 183 | +331 | -59 | +272 |
20 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| X4 Xdrive20D M Sport Auto | Diesel | 5,723 | 30% |
| X4 Xdrive20D M Sport Mhev Auto | Hybrid Electric (Petrol) | 3,383 | 17% |
| X4 Xdrive30D M Sport Auto | Diesel | 3,183 | 16% |
| X4 M Competition Auto | Petrol | 980 | 5% |
| X4 M40I Auto | Petrol | 908 | 5% |
| X4 M40D Auto | Diesel | 868 | 4% |
| X4 Xdrive35D M Sport Auto | Diesel | 707 | 4% |
| X4 Xdrive20D M Sport X Auto | Diesel | 600 | 3% |
| X4 M40I Mhev Auto | Hybrid Electric (Petrol) | 533 | 3% |
| X4 Xdrive30D M Sport Mhev Auto | Hybrid Electric (Diesel) | 532 | 3% |
| X4 Xdrive20D Xline Auto | Diesel | 481 | 2% |
| X4 M40D Mhev Auto | Hybrid Electric (Diesel) | 439 | 2% |
| X4 Xdrive20D Se Auto | Diesel | 281 | 1% |
| X4 Xdrive30D Xline Auto | Diesel | 212 | 1% |
| X4 Xdrive20D M Sport | Diesel | 163 | <1% |
| X4 Xdrive30D M Sport X Auto | Diesel | 148 | <1% |
| X4 Xdrive20D Sport Auto | Diesel | 67 | <1% |
| X4 Xdrive20D Xline | Diesel | 65 | <1% |
| X4 Xdrive20D Se | Diesel | 58 | <1% |
| X4 Xdrive20D M Sport X Mhev A | Hybrid Electric (Diesel) | 57 | <1% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90.4% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2020 | 92.6% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2019 | 91.6% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2018 | 91.6% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
4 earlier years
| 2017 | 87.1% | a tyre seriously damaged, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 2016 | 86.8% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2015 | 86% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2014 | 86% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
Typical mileage
Half of all X4s tested had between 22,694 and 45,479 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 30,471 median miles, the X4 has 0.036 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 X4 MOT pass rate?
The BMW X4 has a 89.1% MOT pass rate based on 33,692 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW X4?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW X4 is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 554 failures. Other common issues include tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements.
How many BMW X4s are on UK roads?
There are 19,471 BMW X4s currently licensed on UK roads, with 302 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW X4 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW X4 is 30,471 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 22,694 and 45,479 miles.
Buying a used X4?
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.
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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.