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BMW M4 reliability by build year

Coverage 2014-present2 named generationsCoupePETROL
At a glance

BMW M4 built around 2018: more fails still not passed 3 days later

BMW M4 models built around 2018 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a BMW M4 by number plate

Key figure

4.7% of MOT tests on BMW M4 models built around 2018 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 2.9%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW M4 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The BMW M4's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your M4's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

M4 G82/G83

G82/G83 (2021-present)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROL

8.1% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Likely between 6.2% and 10.6%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 604 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M4 F82/F83

F82/F83 (2014-2020)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROL

12.5% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 2,352 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the BMW M4.

See every build year for the BMW M4

Side-by-side

BMW M4 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
G82/G83 (2021-present)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate8.1%likely between 6.2% and 10.6%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 604 MOT tests at this age
F82/F83 (2014-2020)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings12.5%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 2,352 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the M4, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

BMW M4 fail rate by age

This chart combines every BMW M4 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1,4716.1%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,1219.0%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,54510.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
2,06212.2%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,35212.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,02813.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,98912.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,76511.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
38912.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 8 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the BMW M4 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other BMW models

7th of 16

7th lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other coupes

7th of 13

7th lowest fail rate of 13 coupes with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

12.5%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old BMW M4 models

These issues come from 7-year-old BMW M4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    11.7%
    Advisory: 444Fail: 21 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.6%
    Advisory: 163Fail: 130 (44% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    5.2%
    Advisory: 169Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    4.2%
    Advisory: 33Fail: 97 (75% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    4.1%
    Advisory: 63Fail: 59 (48% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,352 MOT tests on 7-year-old BMW M4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old BMW M4 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres33%
  2. Suspension + Tyres22%
  3. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers13%
  4. Brakes + Suspension13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 290 MOT tests on BMW M4 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

82%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

33 recalls in all

Includes recalls GOV.UK files under the BMW 4 Series, the model this one is based on.

17 of the 33 BMW M4 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 Critical
  • 12 more

Top concerns

  • Airbags may not deploy
  • Takata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (global VINs)
  • A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    1.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 5.3%, against 12.5% for the BMW M4, both built around 2018.

    2,547 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Porsche Cayman

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93%

    Lower fail rate: 5.5%, against 12.5% for the BMW M4, both built around 2018.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Jaguar F-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.3%

    Lower fail rate: 8.6%, against 12.5% for the BMW M4, both built around 2018.

    2,085 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    4.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 10.4%, against 12.5% for the BMW M4, both built around 2018.

    6,783 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the BMW M4 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 7th lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 2,352 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every BMW M4 ever sold: 14,722 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 2,352 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.