2017 BMW X4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,095 MOT tests, the 2017 BMW X4 recorded an 88.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (11.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.2%) and visibility (2.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 288 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.2% in the 0-30k band and 19.1% in the 120-150k band, a 11.8-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 9.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.2% | 628 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.8% | 338 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 301 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.4% | 292 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.2% | 269 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 61 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 288 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 285 |
| 3 | Wipers | 269 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 200 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 175 |
| 6 | Washers | 141 |
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 | 21.6% | 2,606 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.9% | 1,807 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.8% | 947 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.2% | 510 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 429 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 236 |
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 | 1,779 | 7.2% |
| 30-60k | 6,026 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 3,328 | 13.9% |
| 90-120k | 791 | 15.0% |
| 120-150k | 152 | 19.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,466 | 9.1% |
| 2022 | 2,341 | 8.7% |
| 2023 | 2,410 | 11.6% |
| 2024 | 2,461 | 13.9% |
| 2025 | 2,417 | 13.5% |
What to check before buying a 2017 X4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.2% 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.
- Visibility (2.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (2.5% 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 2017 BMW X4s pass their MOT?
88.6% of the 12,095 2017 BMW X4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 BMW X4?
Tyres, recorded in 5.2% of tests, followed by visibility (2.8%).
Does the 2017 X4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.2% in the 0-30k band to 19.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,095 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.