2022 BMW 4 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,709 MOT tests, the 2022 BMW 4 Series recorded a 91.3% pass rate. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (7.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 7.0% of tests against 1.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and registration plates — tread depth alone was recorded 126 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2022 4 Series fails 8.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.1% at 60-90k, a spread of only 1.2 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — hybrid fails 7.9% of the time against 8.9% for petrol.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 14.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.0% | 612 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 118 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.8% | 73 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.5% | 47 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 28 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 126 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 120 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 79 |
| 4 | Wipers | 48 |
| 5 | Washers | 40 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 26 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 14.0% | 1,216 |
| 2 | Other defects | 2.9% | 254 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.4% | 206 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 152 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 38 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 38 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 6,054 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,481 | 9.8% |
| 60-90k | 170 | 7.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,792 | 8.9% |
| Diesel | 2,417 | 8.6% |
| Hybrid | 1,497 | 7.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 570 | 4.2% |
| 2025 | 8,128 | 9.0% |
What to check before buying a 2022 4 Series
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 7.0% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (7.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (0.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2022 BMW 4 Seriess pass their MOT?
91.3% of the 8,709 2022 BMW 4 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 BMW 4 Series?
Tyres, recorded in 7.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.4%).
Does the 2022 4 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 7.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,709 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.