2021 · 3 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2021 BMW 4 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

5,799 MOT tests in 2024. 87.2% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

100About average
Passed first time87.2%
Failed or needed repairs12.8%
Typical mileage at test24,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,799 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure3.2%
    279 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords3.0%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
    176 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
    124 marked dangerous
  5. Headlamp aim: too high0.7%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.5%
    32 marked dangerous
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.4%
  8. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.3%
  9. Side repeaters: not working0.3%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.2%
    18 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Tyres11.0%
  2. Lights & electrics1.6%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.0%
  4. Brakes0.5%
  5. Wheels0.4%
  6. Number plates & VIN0.3%
  7. Suspension0.3%
  8. Emissions & leaks0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.0%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.2%
  4. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre1.8%
  5. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm1.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 4 SeriesAll 4 Series years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 BMW 4 Series?

In 2024, 87.2% of 2021 BMW 4 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,799 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 BMW 4 Series?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2021 BMW 4 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 100, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).