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BMW

BMW X4 reliability by build year

Coverage 2014-present2 named generationsSUVDIESEL / UNKNOWN / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

BMW X4 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

BMW X4 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on BMW X4 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW X4 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

What to check before viewing

The BMW X4's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

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.

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.

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 X4's generation

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

BMW X4 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
G02 (2018-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings14.6%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 2,567 MOT tests at this age
F26 (2014-2017)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate17.5%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 1,384 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the X4, 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.

BMW X4 fail rate by age

This chart combines every BMW X4 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
3718.6%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
7768.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
2,93710.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
3,39311.6%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,56714.6%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,76416.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,98017.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,94217.7%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
29015.5%

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 10 years old.

Where the BMW X4 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

15th of 16

15th lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

50th of 89

50th lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

14.6%

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%)

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old BMW X4 models

These issues come from 7-year-old BMW X4 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

    17.5%
    Advisory: 672Fail: 50 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.7%
    Advisory: 300Fail: 31 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    5.3%
    Advisory: 113Fail: 80 (41% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    5.1%
    Advisory: 185Fail: 2 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    4.6%
    Advisory: 84Fail: 59 (41% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,567 MOT tests on 7-year-old BMW X4 models, every generation combined.

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old BMW X4 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 + Tyres32%
  2. Suspension + Tyres17%
  3. Other + Tyres17%
  4. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers15%

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

Across 572 MOT tests on BMW X4 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

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

90%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% · About 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

24 recalls in all

20 of the 24 BMW X4 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 Critical
  • 15 more

Top concerns

  • Takata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (global VINs)
  • Check driver’s airbag for conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5
  • 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.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 14.6% for the BMW X4, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.4%, against 14.6% for the BMW X4, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 14.6% for the BMW X4, both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Skoda Karoq

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 14.6% for the BMW X4, both built around 2018.

    8,610 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.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the BMW X4 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 15th lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 2,567 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 X4 ever sold: 20,949 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 2,567 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.