BMW M4 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free BMW M4 car check
Is the BMW M4 reliable? We analysed 91,745 real MOT tests across 13,639 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific BMW M4? Enter the reg for a free check:
The BMW M4 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW M4.
BMW M4 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a BMW M4. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
BMW M4 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a BMW M4 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
BMW M4 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on BMW M4 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
BMW M4 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical BMW M4 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
BMW M4 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW M4 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4,470 | 89.8% | 15,790 | 23,140 | 32,905 |
| 2019 | 9,338 | 89.1% | 16,870 | 25,132 | 35,830 |
| 2018 | 13,351 | 88.6% | 19,050 | 28,690 | 40,989 |
| 2017 | 15,855 | 88.6% | 20,920 | 31,527 | 44,694 |
| 2016 | 15,927 | 88.1% | 23,645 | 35,903 | 50,618 |
| 2015 | 20,325 | 87.8% | 26,927 | 40,390 | 56,080 |
| 2014 | 11,379 | 87.6% | 27,843 | 42,890 | 59,938 |
How Long Does a BMW M4 Last?
Based on 13,639 BMW M4 vehicles on UK roads.
BMW M4 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all BMW M4 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used BMW M4
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.8% MOT pass rate from 4,470 tests
87.6% MOT pass rate from 11,379 tests
The best year to buy a used BMW M4 is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.8% across 4,470 tests. The 2014 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the BMW M4 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW M4 THIS CAR | 88.3% | 91,745 | 33,608 mi | 12 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 |
| Fiat Marea | 64.5% | 95,131 | 73,832 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW M4 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a BMW M4 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 M4Should you buy a used BMW M4?
The BMW M4 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.3% across 91,745 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre has ply or cords exposed. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a BMW M4 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical BMW M4 owner drives around 4,751 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.
In terms of longevity, most BMW M4 models stay on UK roads for around 12 years. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
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.