BMW 430i — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 430i recorded a 89.9% MOT pass rate across 20,571 tests in this dataset (model years 2014–2023), with tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes its most common failure areas. Its 10.1% fail rate is lower than the 11.8% average across all BMW 4 Series versions.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,858 | 89.9% | 10.1% |
| 2017 | 4,991 | 89.7% | 10.3% |
| 2018 | 5,113 | 89.9% | 10.1% |
| 2019 | 3,074 | 88.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020 | 1,164 | 90.6% | 9.4% |
| 2021 | 1,598 | 90.9% | 9.1% |
| 2022 | 745 | 91.3% | 8.7% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.5% | 1,550 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 365 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.0% | 206 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.0% | 201 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 107 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 96 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 82 |
| 8 | Other defects | 0.4% | 74 |
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 | 340 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 285 |
| 3 | Washers | 162 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 159 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 126 |
| 6 | Wipers | 69 |
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 | 18.3% | 3,762 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.8% | 1,816 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.1% | 1,044 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 459 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.1% | 425 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 238 |
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 | 8,485 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 9,074 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,526 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 420 | 15.5% |
| 120-150k | 53 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,891 | 9.4% |
| 2022 | 3,563 | 9.0% |
| 2023 | 4,022 | 10.2% |
| 2024 | 4,715 | 10.8% |
| 2025 | 5,380 | 10.6% |
What to check before buying a BMW 430i
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (7.5% 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 (1.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (1.0% 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 430i at MOT time?
89.9% of the 20,571 BMW 430i MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.1% fail rate, better than the 11.8% average across all 4 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 430i?
Tyres, recorded in 7.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.8%).
Does the 430i get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 20.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 20,571 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.