Family SUV · 2004–2021 cars
BMW X4 reliability
The BMW X4 fails 13% of first MOT tests, 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 60,273 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a BMW X4 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 13%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 32% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 60,273
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the BMW X4 ages
Each point is the share of BMW X4s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | BMW X4 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8.9% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 9.7% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 11.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 15.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 17% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 17.7% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 15.9% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 18.3% | 31.8% |
By year
The best and worst BMW X4 years
2020 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 X4 | 1,134 | 7.9% | 35% fewer fails | 29,680 |
| 2020 X4 | 4,861 | 8.1% | 39% fewer fails | 33,233 |
| 2019 X4 | 14,634 | 9.3% | 37% fewer fails | 36,858 |
| 2018 X4 | 8,573 | 10.5% | 38% fewer fails | 45,995 |
| 2017 X4 | 8,566 | 14.1% | 26% fewer fails | 52,742 |
| 2016 X4 | 11,011 | 16.6% | 27% fewer fails | 63,576 |
| 2015 X4 | 8,413 | 18.1% | 30% fewer fails | 72,066 |
| 2014 X4 | 3,078 | 18.1% | 37% fewer fails | 78,049 |
Common problems
What fails most on a BMW X4
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5%14% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.8%20% below avg
- Lights and electrics2.3%58% below avg
- Suspension2.2%40% below avg
- Brakes1.8%52% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.7%52% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.5%102% above avg
- Wheels0.4%48% above avg
- Steering0.2%72% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.38% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.35% 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 1.26% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.24% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.95% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.9% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 7
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.63% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 8
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.38% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW X4's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.5%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.51%
- Brake disc pitted or scored2.19%
- Slight play in steering rack joints2.01%
- Child seat limits belt inspection1.99%
- Nail in tyre, monitor1.81%
Before you buy
What to check on a used BMW X4
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 X4 covers about 9,400 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
- Diesel87.8%
- Petrol9%
- Hybrid3.2%
Most common colours
Black, Grey, White, Red, Silver
Average engine size: 2.5 litres.
Compare
How the BMW X4 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus NX | 9.2% | 47% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW X4 | 13% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Kodiaq | 11% | 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru Forester | 29.5% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 37.4% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jeep Cherokee | 33.1% | 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Antara | 42.5% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all BMW models.
Questions
BMW X4 questions, answered
Is the BMW X4 reliable?
On MOT results, the BMW X4 is better than average: it fails 13% of first MOT tests, 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 9 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a BMW X4 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the BMW X4 are tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.38% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (1.35% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.26% of tests). By area, tyres fails 5% of its tests.
Which BMW X4 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a BMW X4 do a year?
A typical BMW X4 covers about 9,400 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 X4 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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