2019 BMW M4- — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,970 MOT tests, the 2019 BMW M4- recorded a 90.0% pass rate. That is 1.4 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 8.6%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 7.2% of all tests — 5.4 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 134 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.1% in the 0-30k band and 14.2% in the 60-90k band, a 5.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.2% | 573 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.8% | 140 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 87 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.9% | 74 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.6% | 47 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.4% | 35 |
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 | 128 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 107 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 89 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 32 |
| 6 | Washers | 27 |
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 | 14.7% | 1,170 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.1% | 324 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.5% | 275 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 146 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 43 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 22 |
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 | 5,191 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,548 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 219 | 14.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 165 | 6.1% |
| 2022 | 2,098 | 10.7% |
| 2023 | 1,951 | 8.5% |
| 2024 | 1,870 | 9.7% |
| 2025 | 1,886 | 11.3% |
What to check before buying a 2019 M4-
On a 2019 M4-, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (7.2% 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 (1.8% 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 (1.1% 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 2019 BMW M4-s pass their MOT?
90.0% of the 7,970 2019 BMW M4- MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 BMW M4-?
Tyres, recorded in 7.2% of tests, followed by suspension (1.8%).
Does the 2019 M4- get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 14.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,970 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.