Used car guide

2017 BMW X4: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW X4 first registered in 2017: we looked at the 6,360 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,360MOTs of 2017 cars, done in 2023–2025
83%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 80%)
8,600typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 BMW X4?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 BMW X4 than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    BMW X4
    3.7% All 2017 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.5% of all 2017 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.

Common 2017 BMW X4 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 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
    17% 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
    9% 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 mirrors
    8% 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
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 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 coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2017 BMW X4 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. 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
20221,661Tyres 20%
20213,294Tyres 22%
20205,689Tyres 24%
201911,976Tyres 24%
20186,068Tyres 25%
20168,085Tyres 26%
20156,205Tyres 28%
20142,208Tyres 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 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score