Used car guide

2021 BMW M4: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW M4 first registered in 2021: we looked at the 954 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

954MOTs of 2021 cars, done in 2025
92%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
6,100typical miles a year
17%had tyres flagged

Common 2021 BMW M4 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 BMW M4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    17% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    2% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    2% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    2% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Suspension
    1% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 BMW M4

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. 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

YearMOT testsMost 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
20221,452Tyres 18%
20201,154Tyres 20%
20191,714Tyres 20%
20181,992Tyres 21%
20171,937Tyres 21%
20161,691Tyres 21%
20151,800Tyres 21%
2014914Tyres 19%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of BMW M4 cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score