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MOT performance

Jaguar F-Type vs BMW M4: MOT pass rates compared

In 2023–2024, 90.6% of 28,642 Jaguar F-Type MOT tests and 87.2% of 24,113 BMW M4 tests passed first time — 3.5 points in favour of the Jaguar F-Type. Once age, mileage and fuel are allowed for, the Jaguar F-Type fails less often than the BMW M4: 0.56× against 0.71× the national rate for comparable cars.

28,642 Jaguar F-Type and 24,113 BMW M4 MOT tests, 2023–2024

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At a glance

Jaguar F-Type vs BMW M4 MOT results
FigureValueBasis
Jaguar F-Type: first-time pass rate90.6%±0.3 pts (95%), n = 28,642
BMW M4: first-time pass rate87.2%±0.4 pts (95%), n = 24,113
Jaguar F-Type: failures vs similar cars-44%same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
BMW M4: failures vs similar cars-29%same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Jaguar F-Type: dangerous defect3.4%n = 28,642
BMW M4: dangerous defect5.5%n = 24,113
Average age at test6.4 vs 5.7 yearsJaguar F-Type vs BMW M4

Why the raw pass rates can mislead

The Jaguar F-Type was tested at an older average age (6.4 years against 5.7), and older cars fail more often whatever they are. That is why the table above also shows failures against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel: it compares the models, not their fleets.

Failure areas side by side

Share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and in brackets how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = national average). The clearest difference is suspension, where the BMW M4 fails 4.4 times as often on an adjusted basis.

Jaguar F-Type vs BMW M4 MOT failures by area
AreaJaguar F-TypeBMW M4
Brakes0.8% (-73%)0.8% (-76%)
Steering0.1% (-89%)0.1% (-94%)
Suspension0.6% (-82%)2.7% (-20%)
Tyres4.1% (-9%)7.1% (+37%)
Road wheels0.2% (+34%)0.2% (+35%)
Lights, reflectors and electrical1.4% (-70%)1.4% (-70%)
Body, chassis and structure0.1% (-89%)0.1% (-91%)
Driver's view of the road2.4% (-30%)0.9% (-73%)
Noise, emissions and leaks0.7% (-28%)0.7% (-41%)
Seat belts and airbags0.1% (-79%)0.1% (-76%)
Registration plates and VIN0.5% (+221%)0.9% (+381%)

Pass rate at the same age

Comparing cars of the same age removes most of the fleet-age effect from the raw rates.

Jaguar F-Type vs BMW M4 MOT pass rate by age at test
Age at testJaguar F-TypeBMW M4
3-4 years90.8% (n = 5,385)88.8% (n = 5,980)
5-6 years90.6% (n = 7,501)86.5% (n = 7,648)
7-8 years91.3% (n = 8,095)86.2% (n = 6,878)
9-10 years89.9% (n = 5,758)86.9% (n = 2,119)

Most common failure item

  • Jaguar F-Type · wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (1.66% of tests)
  • BMW M4 · condition: has ply or cords exposed (3.83% of tests)

MOT results reflect how cars are maintained as well as how they are built, so a gap between two models is a difference in test performance, not proof that one is more reliable. For one car, its own MOT history says more than any average.

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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.