2017 BMW M4- — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2017 BMW M4- passed 89.5% of its 10,982 recorded MOT tests. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail at 9.8%, so the 2017 M4- sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.8% of all tests — 4.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, registration plates and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 258 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.7% in the 0-30k band and 13.6% in the 90-120k band, a 5.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.8% | 742 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.5% | 276 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 143 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.9% | 97 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.8% | 87 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.6% | 69 |
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 | 258 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 159 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 154 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 138 |
| 5 | Washers | 63 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 62 |
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 | 15.1% | 1,656 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.3% | 694 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.9% | 428 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 262 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 259 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.7% | 181 |
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 | 4,468 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 5,489 | 11.6% |
| 60-90k | 916 | 12.6% |
| 90-120k | 88 | 13.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,286 | 8.7% |
| 2022 | 2,182 | 8.8% |
| 2023 | 2,224 | 11.7% |
| 2024 | 2,156 | 11.7% |
| 2025 | 2,134 | 11.8% |
What to check before buying a 2017 M4-
On a 2017 M4-, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.8% 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
How many 2017 BMW M4-s pass their MOT?
89.5% of the 10,982 2017 BMW M4- MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 BMW M4-?
Tyres, recorded in 6.8% of tests, followed by suspension (2.5%).
Does the 2017 M4- get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 13.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,982 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.