Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 BMW 4 Series?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2013 BMW 4 Series?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2013 BMW 4 Series?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2013 BMW 4 Series vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

44% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2013 BMW 4 Series reliable?

Based on MOT data from 766 vehicles, the 2013 BMW 4 Series has a first-time MOT pass rate of 86.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2013 BMW 4 Series?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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BMW 4 Series (2013)

766 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86.9% first-time pass rate

2013 BMW 4 Series

CarHunch analysed 766 real MOT records for the 2013 BMW 4 Series. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

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.

The 2013 BMW 4 Series has a decent first-time pass rate (86.9%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

86.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

43.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.55

Over 10.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

70k

Middle half: 54k–89k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 86.9% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 10.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 766 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 766 BMW 4 Series cars.

Before you buy a 2013 BMW 4 Series

Based on MOT data from 766 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 43.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,462 BMW 4 Series vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 27.9%

408

White 24.9%

364

Black 21.3%

311

Grey 14.4%

211

Silver 8.5%

125

Red 2.6%

Brown 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 BMW 4 Series vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

69,950

typical

53,782

low mileage

88,687

high mileage

Half of all 2013 BMW 4 Series vehicles fall between 53,782 and 88,687 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 53,782 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 53,782–88,687 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 BMW 4 Seriess sit.

⚠ Over 119,727 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 BMW 4 Series — Still on the Road

Most 2013 BMW 4 Seriess are still being driven.

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.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

10.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.55

Avg failures per vehicle

10.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW 4 Series: All 4 Series years → Which year to buy? →

2014 2018

Or browse all models: BMW →

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 BMW 4 Series stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing