BMW 420 (2017)
2017 BMW 420
CarHunch analysed 12,164 real MOT records for the 2017 BMW 420. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2017 BMW 420 passes its MOT first time in 89.8% of cases, comfortably ahead of the UK average of 80%, and both diesel and petrol variants perform similarly well (89.5% and 90.5% respectively). However, one in three of these cars has recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a material concern for a used buyer and suggests some have experienced significant mechanical issues.
At 51,000 miles median mileage, these are lightly-run examples for their age, yet they're still averaging 0.8 failures and 5.6 advisories per test, indicating wear and minor issues are creeping in. Before committing to purchase, have a pre-buy inspection focus on the cooling system and suspension components, as these typically drive the advisory count on this model.
What to check before buying a 2017 BMW 420
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.
- ⚠️ 33.6% 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 420
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 (78%) | 9,462 | 89.5% | 0.82 |
| Petrol (22%) | 2,702 | 90.5% | 0.75 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2017 BMW 420 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 2017 BMW 420 vehicles fall between 39,010 and 65,761 miles.
2017 BMW 420 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 10,669 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 91% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2017 BMW 420
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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35.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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34.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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27.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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27.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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27.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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15.4%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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11%
Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()
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10.1%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW 420?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.