2022 BMW i4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,498 MOT tests, the 2022 BMW i4 recorded an 87.5% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 10.0% of the time, so this is 2.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 10.9% of all tests — 9.3 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 163 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.2% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 10.9% | 818 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 121 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.6% | 119 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.5% | 40 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 18 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.2% | 14 |
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 | 163 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 133 |
| 3 | Wipers | 84 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 65 |
| 5 | Washers | 49 |
| 6 | Size/type | 12 |
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 | 27.9% | 2,095 |
| 2 | Other defects | 5.2% | 389 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.3% | 245 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 68 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 31 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 19 |
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 | 3,456 | 11.0% |
| 30-60k | 3,433 | 13.6% |
| 60-90k | 557 | 14.7% |
| 90-120k | 44 | 18.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 156 | 5.1% |
| 2025 | 7,320 | 12.7% |
What to check before buying a 2022 i4
On a 2022 i4, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (10.9% 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 (1.6% 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 i4s pass their MOT?
87.5% of the 7,498 2022 BMW i4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 BMW i4?
Tyres, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.6%).
Does the 2022 i4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 0-30k band to 18.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,498 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.