2014 BMW M4- — MOT failures & pass rate
5,285 MOT tests on the 2014 BMW M4- are in this dataset, and 89.8% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 13.1% of the time, so this is 3.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.6%) and suspension (2.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, registration plates and tread depth — coil spring alone was recorded 134 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2014 M4- fails 10.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 13.2% at 120-150k, a spread of only 2.6 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 16.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.6% | 245 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.8% | 149 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 95 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.6% | 85 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 61 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.0% | 53 |
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 | 134 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 77 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 65 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 59 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 49 |
| 6 | Washers | 40 |
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 | 16.4% | 867 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.0% | 424 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.4% | 178 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 176 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.3% | 173 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.4% | 129 |
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 | 629 | 10.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,611 | 8.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,655 | 11.2% |
| 90-120k | 334 | 13.8% |
| 120-150k | 53 | 13.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,111 | 11.0% |
| 2022 | 1,091 | 9.5% |
| 2023 | 1,068 | 9.7% |
| 2024 | 1,021 | 10.6% |
| 2025 | 994 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 2014 M4-
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.6% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.6% 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 (2.8% 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 (1.8% 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
How many 2014 BMW M4-s pass their MOT?
89.8% of the 5,285 2014 BMW M4- MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 BMW M4-?
Tyres, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by suspension (2.8%).
Does the 2014 M4- get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.7% in the 0-30k band to 13.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,285 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.