2015 BMW 4 Series (first used 2015) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 80.3% of BMW 4 Series cars first used in 2015 passed their MOT first time, against 71.9% for all cars first used in 2015. Across 54,622 4 Series first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW 4 Series cars first used in 2015 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2015 BMW 4 Series MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 4 Series cars first used in 2015 against all cars first used in 2015 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 4 Series figure was 8.4 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2015 4 Series | All cars first used 2015 | 4 Series first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85.2% | 79.7% | 18,825 |
| 2022 | 83.7% | 77.8% | 18,641 |
| 2023 | 83.0% | 75.5% | 18,432 |
| 2024 | 81.2% | 73.5% | 18,290 |
| 2025 | 80.3% | 71.9% | 17,900 |
Common 2015 BMW 4 Series MOT failures
Share of the 10,111 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 13.4% | 1,359 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 12.6% | 1,270 |
| Tyre condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | 9.9% | 1,004 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 9.2% | 933 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 7.5% | 763 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a 4 Series in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2015 BMW 4 Series before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2015 BMW 4 Series MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2015 4 Series cars, as a share of all 54,622 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 17.4% | 9,513 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 8.2% | 4,501 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 7.8% | 4,260 |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | 5.4% | 2,936 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 3.8% | 2,084 |
Questions about the 2015 BMW 4 Series MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2015 BMW 4 Series?
In 2025, 80.3% of 4 Series cars first used in 2015 passed their MOT first time, against 71.9% for all cars first used in 2015. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2015 4 Series most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 48.1% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (21.0%) and brakes (16.1%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed” (13.4%).
How often does a 2015 BMW 4 Series fail its MOT?
In 2025, 19.7% of first tests on 4 Series cars first used in 2015 did not pass first time: 17.0% failed, and a further 2.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 10,111 of 54,622 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2015 BMW 4 Series MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 17.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.2%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (7.8%), “Play in steering rack inner joint(s)” (5.4%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (3.8%).
Is a 2015 BMW 4 Series reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 85.2% in 2021 to 80.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2015
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2015 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2015 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2015 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2015 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2015 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2015 4 Series?
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