2018 BMW M4- — MOT failures & pass rate
11,410 MOT tests on the 2018 BMW M4- are in this dataset, and 89.5% of them passed. That is 1.5 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 9.0%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 7.1% of tests against 2.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, registration plates and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 237 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.8% once past 90-120k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 15.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.1% | 810 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.3% | 259 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 130 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.9% | 103 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.8% | 86 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.4% | 49 |
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 | 237 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 173 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 151 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 129 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 64 |
| 6 | Washers | 57 |
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 | 15.4% | 1,760 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.2% | 484 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.0% | 458 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 249 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.0% | 115 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 82 |
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 | 6,275 | 9.6% |
| 30-60k | 4,514 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 562 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 48 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,418 | 11.0% |
| 2022 | 2,343 | 9.3% |
| 2023 | 2,239 | 10.0% |
| 2024 | 2,203 | 10.8% |
| 2025 | 2,207 | 11.6% |
What to check before buying a 2018 M4-
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 7.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (7.1% 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 (2.3% 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 (1.1% 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 2018 BMW M4-s pass their MOT?
89.5% of the 11,410 2018 BMW M4- MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 BMW M4-?
Tyres, recorded in 7.1% of tests, followed by suspension (2.3%).
Does the 2018 M4- get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.6% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,410 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.