2019 BMW X4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 17,912 MOT tests, the 2019 BMW X4 recorded a 91.2% pass rate. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (9.4% 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 (5.3%) 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, wipers and registration plates — tread depth alone was recorded 442 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2019 X4 fails 7.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 11.1% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.5 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 7.8% of the time against 9.0% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.3% | 951 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.4% | 425 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 230 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 155 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 154 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.6% | 104 |
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 | 442 |
| 2 | Wipers | 339 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 174 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 169 |
| 5 | Washers | 155 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 146 |
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 | 19.5% | 3,489 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.8% | 1,213 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.0% | 1,079 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 509 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.3% | 232 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 79 |
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 | 6,464 | 7.6% |
| 30-60k | 8,938 | 9.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,147 | 10.4% |
| 90-120k | 280 | 11.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 14,128 | 9.0% |
| Petrol | 3,784 | 7.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 245 | 5.7% |
| 2022 | 4,544 | 8.3% |
| 2023 | 4,403 | 7.8% |
| 2024 | 4,366 | 9.7% |
| 2025 | 4,354 | 9.5% |
What to check before buying a 2019 X4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.3% 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.
- 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 2019 BMW X4s pass their MOT?
91.2% of the 17,912 2019 BMW X4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 BMW X4?
Tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by visibility (2.4%).
Does the 2019 X4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.6% in the 0-30k band to 11.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,912 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.