2018 BMW M4: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the BMW M4 first registered in 2018: we looked at the 5,962 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 BMW M4?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 BMW M4 than on all cars registered in 2018.
- Coil springs3.1× usualBMW M43.4% All 2018 cars1.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.9% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
Brake pads: 1.1% here, against 10.9% of all 2018 cars. Brake discs: 4.1% here, against 9.8% of all 2018 cars.
Common 2018 BMW M4 MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2018 BMW M4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres20% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Brakes5% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Suspension5% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors3% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Lights and electrics2% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Oil and fluid leaks1% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 BMW M4
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2018 BMW M4 as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a BMW M4?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the BMW M4 compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2022 | 1,539 | Tyres 18% |
| 2021 | 1,877 | Tyres 17% |
| 2020 | 3,494 | Tyres 21% |
| 2019 | 5,204 | Tyres 19% |
| 2017 | 5,795 | Tyres 21% |
| 2016 | 5,164 | Tyres 22% |
| 2015 | 5,538 | Tyres 21% |
| 2014 | 2,811 | Tyres 20% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW M4 cars first registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score