CarVerify

BMW 420D M Sport Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free BMW 420D M Sport Auto car check

Is the BMW 420D M Sport Auto reliable? We analysed 2,755 real MOT tests across 778 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific BMW 420D M Sport Auto? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 2,755 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
91.8%
Typical Mileage
67,219mi
Annual Mileage
8,262mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
yrs

The BMW 420D M Sport Auto is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and stop lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW 420D M Sport Auto.

BMW 420D M Sport Auto Number Plates

Number plates registered to a BMW 420D M Sport Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

BMW 420D M Sport Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a BMW 420D M Sport Auto fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush 2
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2
Stop lamp not working 2
wheel bearing has excessive play 1
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1
Headlamp aim too high 1
Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image 1
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel 1
registration plate faded 1

BMW 420D M Sport Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical BMW 420D M Sport Auto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
5,783 mi/yr
Typical
8,262 mi/yr
Average
9,297 mi/yr
Heavy usage
11,784 mi/yr

BMW 420D M Sport Auto Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all BMW 420D M Sport Auto MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
67,219 mi
75th Percentile
90,808 mi
95th Percentile
132,052 mi
Max Recorded
1,232,234 mi

How Does the BMW 420D M Sport Auto Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
BMW 420D M Sport Auto THIS CAR 91.8% 2,755 67,219 mi — yrs
BMW 3 Series 75.1% 12,840,406 90,743 mi 37 yrs
BMW 118 81.5% 1,923,256 64,042 mi 22 yrs
BMW X5 77% 1,735,343 83,401 mi 25 yrs
Kawasaki ZG1300 90.4% 996 31,097 mi 42 yrs

Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW 420D M Sport Auto outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a BMW 420D M Sport Auto you like?

Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.

Check a specific BMW 420D M Sport Auto

Should you buy a used BMW 420D M Sport Auto?

The BMW 420D M Sport Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.8% across 2,755 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the BMW 420D M Sport Auto are anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2), and stop lamp not working (2). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical BMW 420D M Sport Auto owner drives around 8,262 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

BMW 420D M Sport Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BMW 420D M Sport Auto reliable?
Based on 2,755 MOT tests, the BMW 420D M Sport Auto has a 91.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a BMW 420D M Sport Auto?
The most common MOT failures are anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and stop lamp not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a BMW 420D M Sport Auto do per year?
The typical BMW 420D M Sport Auto does around 8,262 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a BMW 420D M Sport Auto last?
Lifespan data is not yet available for this model.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a BMW 420D M Sport Auto?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.