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BMW X4 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 654 MOT tests from 106 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every BMW X4 has the same fault.

BMW X4's have a extremely good reliability rating of 750/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW X4 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the BMW X4.

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Check a BMW X4 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

BMW X4 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A849/999Excellent70,730 miles1,520 vehicles
N/AN/A755/999Very good76,790 miles1,440 vehicles
N/AN/A722/999Very good78,800 miles1,814 vehicles
N/AN/A675/999Good77,450 miles765 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW X4?

Based on 654 MOT tests from 106 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

106

MOT tests

654

Pass rate

87%

Median mileage

63,722 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW X4 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 850 out of 999.

Common BMW X4 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 120 advisory comments and 38 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 28 advisory comments and 4 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 9 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Steering rack issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 9 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play, a leak, or a damaged gaiter on the steering rack.

What to inspect

Check for play at the steering wheel and look for split rack gaiters.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT PLAY IN STEERING RACK INNER JOINT(S)

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 5 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 4 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 4 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 4 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

BMW X4 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2022818100%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
202083284.4%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
20193116589.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018139088.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
201775390.6%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20161210087%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015109686.5%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
201478777%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used BMW X4

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

  • Steering rack issues. Check for play at the steering wheel and look for split rack gaiters.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

  • Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Buying a BMW X4?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW X4s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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