Known APK problem
BMW 4-serie F32/F36: warning lights
On the BMW 4-serie F32/F36 the APK inspector finds warning lights problems 2.3× as often as on cars of the same age: at 7–8 years 0.9%, against about 0.4% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
A warning light that stays on (for example ABS, airbag or engine fault) points to a fault that has to be read out first.
How to check it at the viewing
Switch on the ignition: all lights come on briefly and go out after starting. If one stays on, ask about the cause.
Ask the seller: Does a warning light ever come on, and has the fault been read out?
By age
Share of inspected BMW 4-serie F32/F36s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | 4-serie F32/F36 | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 – 8 years | B | 0.9% | 0.4% | 2.3× |
| 7 – 8 years | C | 0.7% | 0.9% | 0.8× |
| 9 – 10 years | C | 1.8% | 3.0% | 0.6× |
| 11 – 12 years | C | 2.2% | 2.4% | 0.9× |
A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.
Comparable cars at 7–8 years
| Model | Warning lights | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 4-serie F32/F36 | 0.9% | 2.3× |
| BMW 5-serie G30 | 1.4% | 3.6× |
| Ford Mondeo V | 0.6% | 1.6× |
| Hyundai Ioniq | 0.2% | 3.4× |
| Volvo V90 / S90 II | 3.9% | 10.2× |
| Opel Insignia B | 2.2% | 5.7× |
Looking at a BMW 4-serie F32/F36? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other BMW 4-serie F32/F36s of the same age.
All weak spots of the BMW 4-serie F32/F36 · Warning lights: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW 4-serie F32/F36 often have warning lights problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 7–8 years the inspector found a warning lights defect on 0.9% of inspected BMW 4-serie F32/F36s, against about 0.4% of all cars of the same age (2.3×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the warning lights on a used BMW 4-serie F32/F36?
Switch on the ignition: all lights come on briefly and go out after starting. If one stays on, ask about the cause.
Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.
Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know