Used car guide

2015 BMW X4: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW X4 first registered in 2015: we looked at the 6,210 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,210MOTs of 2015 cars, done in 2023–2025
79%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 74%)
9,000typical miles a year
10.5×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 BMW X4?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 BMW X4 than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Steering rack inner joints10.5× usual
    BMW X4
    8.4% All 2015 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    BMW X4
    7.6% All 2015 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.6% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At 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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.8% here, against 4.6% of all 2015 cars.

Common 2015 BMW X4 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 BMW X4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Brakes
    16% 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.

  • Suspension
    14% 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.

  • Steering
    9% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% 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
    6% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 BMW X4

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

  1. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 10.5× as often on the 2015 BMW X4 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2015 BMW X4 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW X4?

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 X4 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
20221,672Tyres 20%
20213,310Tyres 22%
20205,689Tyres 24%
201911,976Tyres 24%
20186,068Tyres 25%
20176,369Tyres 27%
20168,086Tyres 26%
20142,217Tyres 26%

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 X4 cars first registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score