2018 BMW X4 — MOT failures & pass rate
11,496 MOT tests on the 2018 BMW X4 are in this dataset, and 90.8% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 10.2% of the time, so this is 1.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.9%) and visibility (2.4%) 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 227 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2018 X4 fails 6.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.8% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.9% | 568 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.4% | 281 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.8% | 205 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 196 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 74 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 59 |
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 | 227 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 209 |
| 3 | Wipers | 199 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 139 |
| 5 | Washers | 130 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 83 |
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 | 19.6% | 2,255 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 1,336 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.0% | 802 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 324 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.1% | 243 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 138 |
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 | 3,095 | 6.9% |
| 30-60k | 5,683 | 9.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,261 | 11.4% |
| 90-120k | 367 | 11.4% |
| 120-150k | 57 | 8.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,361 | 9.2% |
| Petrol | 135 | 5.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,457 | 8.1% |
| 2022 | 2,299 | 8.0% |
| 2023 | 2,253 | 9.3% |
| 2024 | 2,224 | 9.5% |
| 2025 | 2,263 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2018 X4
On a 2018 X4, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.9% 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 (2.4% 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.
- Brakes (1.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 X4s pass their MOT?
90.8% of the 11,496 2018 BMW X4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 BMW X4?
Tyres, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by visibility (2.4%).
Does the 2018 X4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.9% in the 0-30k band to 8.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,496 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.