2018 BMW 4 Series (first used 2018) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 85.2% of BMW 4 Series cars first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 47,077 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 2018 (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 2018 BMW 4 Series MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 4 Series cars first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 4 Series figure was 4.3 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 4 Series | All cars first used 2018 | 4 Series first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88.2% | 87.6% | 17,051 |
| 2022 | 89.0% | 86.3% | 16,437 |
| 2023 | 87.1% | 84.2% | 15,868 |
| 2024 | 85.6% | 82.5% | 15,705 |
| 2025 | 85.2% | 80.9% | 15,504 |
Common 2018 BMW 4 Series MOT failures
Share of the 6,610 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 | 16.1% | 1,061 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 14.2% | 936 |
| Tyre condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | 12.9% | 854 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 11.9% | 787 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 8.4% | 558 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2018 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 2018 BMW 4 Series MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 4 Series cars, as a share of all 47,077 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.3% | 7,672 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.5% | 4,010 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 4.8% | 2,265 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 2.6% | 1,203 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 2.2% | 1,048 |
Questions about the 2018 BMW 4 Series MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 BMW 4 Series?
In 2025, 85.2% of 4 Series cars first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 4 Series most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 56.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (14.9%) and brakes (13.8%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed” (16.1%).
How often does a 2018 BMW 4 Series fail its MOT?
In 2025, 14.8% of first tests on 4 Series cars first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 13.0% failed, and a further 1.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 6,610 of 47,077 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 BMW 4 Series MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 16.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (4.8%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (2.6%) and “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (2.2%).
Is a 2018 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 88.2% in 2021 to 85.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 4 Series?
The numbers above cover every 4 Series first used in 2018 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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