Used buying checklist
BMW M4 reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used BMW M4 looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 10.5% of 12,961 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and suspension and steering.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and suspension and steering.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and suspension and steering, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 10.5% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 34,124 miles
- 1,357 failed MOT tests analysed
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest area to check
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (2.8 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view, to the front outside the swept area of the windscreen wipers restricted by an obstruction, and provides insufficient washer liquid.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- to the front outside the swept area of the windscreen wipers restricted by an obstruction
- provides insufficient washer liquid
- jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen
- Nail in tyre
- Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch
- ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt
- ball joint excessively worn
- ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- of different sizes are fitted on the same axle.
Focus on windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and suspension and steering
The model's recorded failure rate is 10.5%, -8.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed12,961 tests
- Median tested mileage34,124 miles
- Failed MOT tests1,357
Should you buy a used BMW M4?
89.5% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 10.5%, -8.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and suspension and steering
- windscreen, wipers, and mirrors appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and suspension and steering.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and suspension and steering, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (2.8 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the BMW M4, MOT records most often point to windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and suspension and steering.
The MOT failure rate rises from 10.2% at 0-3 years to 11.4% at 6-10 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
5 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the BMW M4, MOT records most often point to windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and suspension and steering.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (2.8 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the BMW M4 mainly involve 3 areas: mixed recall notices, seatbelts and safety systems, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the BMW M4, MOT records most often point to windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and suspension and steering. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and suspension and steering.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 9,919 | 8,405 | 9.8%-1.0 percentage points vs all models | 28,548 miles |
| 50-100k | 2,869 | 2,420 | 12.9%-7.8 percentage points vs all models | 60,910 miles |
| 100-150k | 97 | 81 | 14.4%-11.8 percentage points vs all models | 109,498 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the BMW M4, MOT records most often point to windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and suspension and steering.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 10.2% at 0-3 years to 11.4% at 6-10 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 11.4% for 6-10 years cars, based on 6,100 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
874 | 775 | 10.2%+1.7 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
5,987 | 5,080 | 9.6%-1.0 percentage points vs all models | 4.9 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
6,100 | 5,210 | 11.4%-5.2 percentage points vs all models | 7.6 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
5 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2020-12-07 | THE DAMPING ELEMENTS MAY BE MISSING FROM SOME INJECTORS WHICH COULD AFFECT FUEL LINES AND LEAD TO LEAKS On affected vehicles the damping elements may be missing from some injectors which could affect fuel lines and lead to leaks. Check and install/replace damping elements. Replace high pressure fuel rail if necessary. |
|---|---|
| 2019-01-21 | THE CFK DRIVE SHAFT 3 HOLE FLANGE WITH A PUSHING PIECE IS NOT PRODUCED WITH SUFFICIENT LONG TERM DURABILITY The flange of the propshaft may become detached. Replace the propshaft with a alternative construction. |
| 2017-09-01 | FRONT SEAT FIXING MECHANISM MAY BE INSECURE Due to a fault in the supplier's production process the bolt on the outer side of the seat mechanism on both front seats might not have been fixed properly. In cases where the bolt loosens the customer would be alerted by noise coming from the seat and a noticeable increase in seat clearance/movement. If this is ignored by the customer the securing bolt on the outer side of the seat might come off. If the securing bolt comes off the seat can move backwards in a rear end crash situation. The bolt on the seat mechanism will be checked for excessive clearance and if necessary replaced. |
| 2017-01-10 | AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY The igniter for the certain airbag modules may not have been correctly manufactured which may affect air bag deployment in the event of a collision. Where necessary replace affected airbag modules. |
| 2015-12-02 | DRIVESHAFT MAY FAIL The propshaft slide joint may not have been lubricated during manufacture On affected vehicles check propshaft and hwere necessary replace propshaft. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the BMW M4. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other BMW reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.