BMW i4 MOT pass rate & common failures
The BMW i4 appears in 8,183 MOT tests spanning model years 2021–2025, and 87.8% of them passed. That is 2.4 percentage points worse than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 9.8%. Its most common failure areas are tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 10.7% of all tests — 9.1 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 175 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.6% in the 0-30k band and 18.8% in the 90-120k band, a 8.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every i4 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 205 | 88.8% | 11.2% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 7,498 | 87.5% | 12.5% | Tyres |
| 2023 | 452 | 91.8% | 8.2% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 10.7% | 875 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 131 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.5% | 125 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.5% | 41 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 19 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.2% | 14 |
| 7 | Steering | 0.1% | 11 |
| 8 | Road wheels | 0.1% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 175 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 149 |
| 3 | Wipers | 86 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 66 |
| 5 | Washers | 53 |
| 6 | Size/type | 17 |
| 7 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 11 |
| 8 | Track rod end | 11 |
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 | 27.4% | 2,245 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.1% | 421 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.2% | 260 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 70 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 39 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 22 |
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 | 3,836 | 10.6% |
| 30-60k | 3,701 | 13.4% |
| 60-90k | 590 | 14.6% |
| 90-120k | 48 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 280 | 6.1% |
| 2025 | 7,878 | 12.4% |
What to check before buying a BMW i4
- Tyres (10.7% 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 (1.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.5% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW i4?
87.8% of the 8,183 BMW i4 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 12.2% fail rate, across model years 2021–2025.
What does the BMW i4 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 10.7% of tests, then lighting & signalling (1.6%).
How much does mileage affect i4 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 10.6% for cars in the 0-30k band and 18.8% for 90-120k, a 8.2-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,183 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.