2020 Bmw M4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,709 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Bmw M4, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 90.6% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 20.7% in the 60-90k group versus 8.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.3% | 271 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 45 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.1% | 40 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.7% | 26 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.5% | 17 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.4% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 62 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 41 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 36 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 22 |
| 5 | Wipers | 11 |
| 6 | Attachment | 10 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 14.7% | 545 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.5% | 168 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.4% | 125 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 91 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 26 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 14 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 2,668 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 954 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 82 | 20.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 80 | 2.5% |
| 2023 | 1,277 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 1,170 | 10.0% |
| 2025 | 1,180 | 9.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 M4
Before buying a 2020 Bmw M4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.3% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2020 Bmw M4s pass their MOT?
90.6% of the 3,709 2020 Bmw M4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Bmw M4?
Tyres, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.2%).
Does the 2020 M4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 20.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,709 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.