BMW 4 Series
Registered from 2003 to 2026.
About this model
The BMW 4 Series is a range of compact executive cars manufactured by BMW since 2013. The 4 Series was created when BMW spun off the 2-door models of the 3 Series into a separate series. The 4 Series is currently in its second generation.
From the Wikipedia article BMW 4 Series, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2016 2.0 diesel. 1,368 of 10,678 tests failed, 13%.
Better than 53% of 2016 cars. The typical one fails 13%, across 899 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 62% | 853 |
| Brakes | 19% | 262 |
| Lights and electrics | 14% | 193 |
| Visibility | 13% | 171 |
| Suspension | 10% | 140 |
| Plates and identity | 3% | 39 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
Where it stands out against its peers
- Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 91% of 2016 cars — 62% of its 1,368 failed tests, where an ordinary 2016 car has 38%.
- Plates and identity: failed more often than 91% of 2016 cars — 3% of its 1,368 failed tests, where an ordinary 2016 car has 1%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 62% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Brakes — 19% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Suspension — 10% of its failures
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- Lights and electrics — 14% of its failures
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Visibility — 13% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 160–180k miles this one fails 13% of its inspections, against the 18% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 8% | 6% | 88 | |
| 20–40k miles | 8% | 10% | 951 | |
| 40–60k miles | 11% | 13% | 2,883 | |
| 60–80k miles | 13% | 16% | 3,121 | |
| 80–100k miles | 13% | 18% | 1,945 | |
| 100–120k miles | 17% | 19% | 997 | |
| 120–140k miles | 15% | 19% | 467 | |
| 140–160k miles | 17% | 19% | 138 | |
| 160–180k miles | 13% | 18% | 55 |
10,645 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.0 petrol · 247 hp · 1709 kg · 2824 mm wheelbase · 7.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 2.0 petrol · 248 hp · 1749 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 7.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 2.0 petrol · 248 hp · 1768 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 8.0 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 2.0 petrol · 200 hp · 1680 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 7.6 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 2.0 diesel · 177 hp · 1645 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2.0 diesel · 218 hp · 1679 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 4.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 2.0 diesel · 214 hp · 1672 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 5.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.0 diesel · 214 hp · 1636 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 5.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.0 diesel · 180 hp · 1612 kg · 2810 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00184/24
Due to a manufacturing error, the weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit (ITCU) may not have been correctly executed. As a result, transmission oil could leak into the ITCU, causing it to fail. This may lead to transmission seizure, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00441/24
A defect on the cylinder head cover could allow oil to leak and spread through the engine compartment, creating a risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00783/23
The airbag propellant may deteriorate over time, and If deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00868/23
The airbag may deteriorate over time, and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01223/24
The accumulator in the driver/passenger head airbag inflator can leak, preventing the airbag to fully deploy if activated in an accident, impairing the protective effect of the airbag. Moreover, the accumulator can detach, entering the interior of the vehicle or becoming detached from the vehicle. This can lead to an increased risk of injury for passengers and/or other road users. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01785/21
The screws which were used to assemble seatbelts and also on the rear seats of the vehicles concerned may not have been manufactured in accordance with specifications. In some cases, the screws in question cannot withstand extreme loads, which could increase the risk of injury in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01981/24
A seam on the inflator housing of the driver airbag may not have been correctly welded. In case of accident, when the airbag is deployed, the inflator can burst, releasing metal parts which could cause injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/02573/24
The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
9 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.