BMW 4 Series (2013)
2013 BMW 4 Series
CarHunch analysed 766 real MOT records for the 2013 BMW 4 Series. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2013 BMW 4 Series passes its MOT first time at 86.9%, which is a solid 6.9 percentage points above the UK average of 80%, suggesting better-than-typical reliability for this age group. However, 43.9% of these cars have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history—a significantly high proportion that should concern any prospective buyer, particularly around suspension, braking, and lighting systems.
At a median mileage of 69,950 miles, these nine-year-old cars are running slightly below average wear for their age, yet they still rack up an average of 10.1 advisories per test, pointing to the cost of ownership on premium German engineering. If you're considering one, factor in regular maintenance and specifically inspect the suspension and brake components yourself—this cohort's dangerous defect rate suggests these are genuine weak points rather than freak occurrences.
What to check before buying a 2013 BMW 4 Series
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 43.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a BMW 4 Series
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (62%) | 472 | 85.9% | 1.66 |
| Petrol (38%) | 294 | 88.4% | 1.38 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2013 BMW 4 Series vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2013 BMW 4 Series vehicles fall between 53,782 and 88,687 miles.
2013 BMW 4 Series — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 619 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 81% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific BMW 4 Series?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.