2018 BMW 420 2.0L Diesel · E18 ABR

The MOT history for this 2018 BMW 420 presents a largely clean roadworthiness profile across six recorded tests from 2021 through late 2025, with a single failure event in October 2023 followed by two subsequent passes. That failure was specifically due to both rear tyres falling below the legal 1.6mm tread depth, a result classed as Dangerous by the examiner, which is a notable safety finding regardless of the overall trend. The same test also raised an advisory for rear brake pads wearing thin, and that identical advisory reappeared at the very next pass in November 2023, indicating the brake wear observation carried forward. Since then, the vehicle has passed twice in succession with no advisories recorded, with the most recent test on 27 October 2025 returning a clean pass. The absence of advisories in the two most recent tests does not eliminate the possibility of wear developing since, particularly given the brake and tyre concerns flagged less than two years ago. Recorded mileage stands at 60,328 miles across roughly eight years, equating to an annual accumulation of approximately 7,541 miles, which sits close to the typical usage rate for a vehicle of this age. There are no extended gaps between annual tests that would suggest prolonged periods off the road, and the mileage progression between tests appears consistent with steady, regular use rather than long lay-ups or sudden high-mileage jumps. From a mechanical standpoint, this level of use generally means consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres and wipers will have experienced normal service-life wear, while major drivetrain and suspension components should not yet be at extreme wear thresholds. The absence of advisories relating to oil leaks, suspension components, exhaust integrity or corrosion in any of the recorded tests is consistent with a chassis that has not been subjected to unusually harsh conditions or neglect. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas on this particular car relate directly to the components flagged in the 2023 records. The rear brake pads were noted as wearing thin across two consecutive tests, so a thorough inspection should establish the current pad material thickness and the condition of the rear brake discs, as worn pads often coincide with scored or lipped discs that may soon require replacement. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or squealing from the rear axle under light braking and check for judder through the pedal, which would indicate disc surface deterioration. Because the nearside and offside rear tyres were both below legal tread at the last failure, the replacement rubber fitted since should be checked for correct size, age and even wear across the tread face, and the spare or any partially worn tyres examined for remaining tread depth. The remaining advisory-free record offers no specific component concerns, but given the BMW 4 Series rear suspension layout, a buyer should still inspect for any play in the rear trailing arms, bush deterioration and coil spring condition, as these are common wear items on this platform that often only surface under load. On the move, pay attention to any clonks or knocks from the rear over uneven surfaces, vague or wandering steering behaviour, and any pulling to one side under braking, which could indicate a binding caliper following the earlier brake pad wear. Finally, verify that all dashboard warning systems, particularly those associated with tyre pressure monitoring and braking systems, extinguish correctly on ignition and remain off during driving, as any persistent warning would warrant diagnostic investigation before purchase.