BMW M4- MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 11 model years and 59,882 tests, the BMW M4- passes its MOT 89.5% of the time. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (10.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Its most common failure areas are tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.5% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, registration plates and tread depth — coil spring alone was recorded 1,354 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the M4- fails 8.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 12.5% at 120-150k, a spread of only 3.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every M4- model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 5,285 | 89.8% | 10.2% | Tyres |
| 2015 | 10,622 | 88.8% | 11.2% | Tyres |
| 2016 | 9,876 | 89.0% | 11.0% | Tyres |
| 2017 | 10,982 | 89.5% | 10.5% | Tyres |
| 2018 | 11,410 | 89.5% | 10.5% | Tyres |
| 2019 | 7,970 | 90.0% | 10.0% | Tyres |
| 2020 | 3,709 | 90.6% | 9.4% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.5% | 3,863 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.5% | 1,511 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 797 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.9% | 518 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.8% | 483 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.8% | 460 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 397 |
| 8 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 132 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 1,354 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 845 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 774 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 723 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 359 |
| 6 | Washers | 356 |
| 7 | Ball joint | 312 |
| 8 | Attachment | 173 |
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 | 15.6% | 9,366 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.1% | 3,666 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.7% | 2,235 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 1,341 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.0% | 1,185 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.6% | 972 |
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 | 23,492 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 27,524 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 7,691 | 12.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,025 | 13.7% |
| 120-150k | 136 | 12.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,347 | 10.3% |
| 2022 | 12,000 | 10.0% |
| 2023 | 12,880 | 10.5% |
| 2024 | 12,396 | 10.6% |
| 2025 | 12,259 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a BMW M4-
- Tyres (6.5% 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.
- Suspension (2.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (1.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 M4-?
89.5% of the 59,882 BMW M4- MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 10.5% fail rate, across model years 2014–2024.
What does the BMW M4- most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 6.5% of tests, then suspension (2.5%).
How much does mileage affect M4- MOT results?
Fail rates run at 8.9% for cars in the 0-30k band and 12.5% for 120-150k, a 3.6-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 59,882 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.