BMW X4 MOT failures and reliability

In 2023 the BMW X4 took 15,920 MOT tests in Britain and passed 85% of them first time, above the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.

MOT tests in 2023: 15,920
First-time pass rate: 85%
All cars: 71%

What the X4 fails on

Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.

Tyres6.2% (all cars 6.4%)
Visibility2.9% (all cars 4.8%)
Lights and electrics2.5% (all cars 11.3%)
Suspension2.4% (all cars 9.0%)
Brakes1.8% (all cars 6.8%)
Exhaust and emissions0.7% (all cars 3.1%)
Number plates and VIN0.6% (all cars 0.4%)
Wheels0.4% (all cars 0.4%)

Most common failure items

Share of tests on which each item was recorded.

Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2.1%
Tyres, condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 2.0%
Coil spring: fractured or broken 1.9%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively 1.7%
Tyres, condition: has ply or cords exposed 1.2%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick 1.1%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid 0.9%
Tyres, condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 0.7%

Most common advisories

Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 17.1%
Brake pads: wearing thin 7.2%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 3.0%
Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt 2.8%
Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s) 2.7%
Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre 2.7%
Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 2.3%
Tyres, condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.7%

Pass rate by year of registration

Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.

First registered	Tests	Pass rate
2014	753	80%
2015	2,091	79%
2016	2,740	81%
2017	2,156	85%
2018	2,060	87%
2019	4,087	90%
2020	1,945	87%

Typical mileage by age

Average odometer reading at the MOT, by the car's age in years at the test.

Age at test	Average mileage
3 years	27,146 miles
4 years	35,131 miles
5 years	45,689 miles
6 years	53,918 miles
7 years	64,275 miles
8 years	73,507 miles
9 years	78,433 miles

Check a particular X4

Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.

Other BMW models

Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.