2015 BMW M4- — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,622 MOT tests, the 2015 BMW M4- recorded an 88.8% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail at 11.8%, so the 2015 M4- sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.7%) and suspension (3.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and registration plates — coil spring alone was recorded 306 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 12.9% versus 8.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.7% | 603 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.3% | 354 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 163 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.2% | 126 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 119 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.1% | 116 |
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 | 306 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 158 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 129 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 102 |
| 5 | Washers | 98 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 98 |
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 | 17.0% | 1,807 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.5% | 905 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 365 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.1% | 331 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.3% | 246 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.2% | 233 |
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 | 1,639 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 5,909 | 11.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,667 | 12.5% |
| 90-120k | 370 | 12.7% |
| 120-150k | 31 | 12.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,274 | 11.1% |
| 2022 | 2,191 | 11.3% |
| 2023 | 2,131 | 11.9% |
| 2024 | 2,047 | 10.1% |
| 2025 | 1,979 | 11.4% |
What to check before buying a 2015 M4-
On a 2015 M4-, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.7% 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.
- Suspension (3.3% 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 (1.5% 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 2015 BMW M4-s pass their MOT?
88.8% of the 10,622 2015 BMW M4- MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 BMW M4-?
Tyres, recorded in 5.7% of tests, followed by suspension (3.3%).
Does the 2015 M4- get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 12.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,622 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.