BMW 425d — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 425d recorded a 86.3% MOT pass rate across 1,305 tests in this dataset (model years 2013–2020), with tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes its most common failure areas. Its 13.7% fail rate is higher than the 11.8% average across all BMW 4 Series versions.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 303 | 85.2% | 14.8% |
| 2015 | 873 | 86.3% | 13.8% |
| 2016 | 120 | 88.3% | 11.7% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.7% | 101 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.0% | 39 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.9% | 38 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.0% | 26 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.9% | 25 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.9% | 12 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 7 |
| 8 | Other defects | 0.3% | 4 |
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 | 46 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 27 |
| 3 | Washers | 18 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 17 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 17 |
| 6 | Attachment | 14 |
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 | 25.4% | 331 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.2% | 225 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.7% | 126 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.1% | 66 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.2% | 42 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 34 |
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 | 43 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 335 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 478 | 12.1% |
| 90-120k | 318 | 15.4% |
| 120-150k | 114 | 20.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 268 | 11.2% |
| 2022 | 246 | 13.0% |
| 2023 | 260 | 10.8% |
| 2024 | 264 | 14.8% |
| 2025 | 267 | 18.7% |
What to check before buying a BMW 425d
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (7.7% 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 (3.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (2.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 reliable is the BMW 425d at MOT time?
86.3% of the 1,305 BMW 425d MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.7% fail rate, worse than the 11.8% average across all 4 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 425d?
Tyres, recorded in 7.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.0%).
Does the 425d get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 20.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,305 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-06. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.