Executive car · 2014–2021 cars
BMW M4 reliability
The BMW M4 fails 10.5% of first MOT tests, 39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 53,667 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a BMW M4 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 10.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 39% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 53,667
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the BMW M4 ages
Each point is the share of BMW M4s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | BMW M4 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9.4% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 9.8% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 10.1% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 11.8% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 12.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 9.8% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 8.9% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 11.7% | 31.8% |
By year
The best and worst BMW M4 years
2014 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 970 | 3.9% | 62% fewer fails | 20,802 |
| 2020 M4 | 3,731 | 9.2% | 17% fewer fails | 22,414 |
| 2019 M4 | 7,337 | 8.4% | 31% fewer fails | 26,003 |
| 2018 M4 | 9,895 | 10.3% | 28% fewer fails | 31,214 |
| 2017 M4 | 9,165 | 12.3% | 24% fewer fails | 36,458 |
| 2016 M4 | 8,793 | 11.5% | 41% fewer fails | 44,300 |
| 2015 M4 | 9,035 | 10.8% | 52% fewer fails | 50,969 |
| 2014 M4 | 4,741 | 11% | 56% fewer fails | 56,431 |
Common problems
What fails most on a BMW M4
Its weak spot is tyres: 11% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.5%11% above avg
- Suspension2.3%31% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.3%72% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.8%295% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors0.8%75% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.6%44% below avg
- Brakes0.6%80% below avg
- Wheels0.2%16% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.1%80% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.25% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.23% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.12% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.52% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Number plate does not meet standards 0.43% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too high 0.34% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 7
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.28% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 8
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 0.27% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW M4's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit6.04%
- Brake disc pitted or scored2.06%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking1.5%
- Nail in tyre, monitor1.38%
- Tyre has a shallow cut1%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit0.97%
Before you buy
What to check on a used BMW M4
- 1
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical BMW M4 covers about 6,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol100%
Most common colours
Blue, Black, White, Grey, Orange
Average engine size: 3.0 litres.
Compare
How the BMW M4 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW M3 | 12.5% | 62% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi A7 | 13.9% | 48% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW M4 | 10.5% | 39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Tesla Model S | 16.8% | 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V90 | 14.4% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S60 | 29% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar S-Type | 37.2% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all BMW models.
Questions
BMW M4 questions, answered
Is the BMW M4 reliable?
On MOT results, the BMW M4 is better than average: it fails 10.5% of first MOT tests, 39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 14 of 40 executive car models in our index.
What fails most on a BMW M4 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the BMW M4 are tyre ply or cords exposed (2.25% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (1.23% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.12% of tests). By area, tyres fails 5.5% of its tests.
Which BMW M4 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2014 cars do best (56% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a BMW M4 do a year?
A typical BMW M4 covers about 6,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a BMW M4 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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