VIN REPORT

WBS53AZ04MCH316342021 BMW M4

6of 100
Low Risk
Buyer Risk Score
Recalls
2
2 campaigns found
Safety Grade
C-
72/100 composite
Complaints
1
NHTSA filed
Vehicle Age
5 yrs
Made in GERMANY
BUYPurchase Verdict

2021 BMW M4 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 1 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.

Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄

Executive Summary

2021 BMW M4

2021 BMW M4 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 1 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.

  • 2 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
  • Component failure cascade detected — a known defect pattern that typically leads to more severe downstream damage
Owner Complaint Intelligence

1 owner complaints filed — top areas: Brakes (100%).

6
of 100
Low Risk
Low risk profile — minor signals only, likely routine.
LOWMODERATEHIGHCRITICAL
1 Contributing Risk Factor
2 model-wide recalls on record
+6
Critical Alerts

Title Brand Check

Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull

No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.

Vehicle

Vehicle Specifications

Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database

Make
BMW
Model
M4
Year
2021
Trim / Series
4-Series
Body Style
Coupe
Vehicle Type
PASSENGER CAR
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Engine
6-cyl 2.9922778864L 473 hp
Transmission
Automatic
Doors
2
Manufacturer
BMW M GMBH
Assembly
DINGOLFING, GERMANY
GVWR
Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Assembly Plant Quality

Plant: DINGOLFING, GERMANY

CQuality55/100
Standard📍 DINGOLFING, GERMANY

No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.

Safety

Safety Intelligence

Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data

C-
Score: 72/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety22/30
Complaint History30/30
25/100Moderate
  • Brake system recall
39/100
Moderate
11 of 20 safety features detected
Missing: Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian AEB
Moderate
  • Safety system appears in both official recalls and owner complaints

Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.

The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.

Brakes
1 recall1 complaint

Driver Assistance Features

ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database

Forward Collision WarningStandard
Automatic Emergency Braking?Unknown
Pedestrian AEB?Unknown
Rear AEB?Unknown
Lane Departure WarningStandard
Lane Keep Assist?Unknown
Lane Centering Assist?Unknown
Blind Spot MonitoringStandard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert?Unknown
Adaptive Cruise Control?Unknown
Adaptive Headlights?Unknown
Auto High BeamStandard
Parking Assist~Optional
Backup CameraStandard
Electronic Stability ControlStandard
Tire Pressure Monitoring?Direct
Event Data Recorder?Unknown
Crash NotificationStandard
Dynamic Brake SupportStandard
Keyless IgnitionStandard
Recalls2

NHTSA Safety Recalls

2 RECALLS
2found

NHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 2 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Estimated Repair Completion (Statistical)

Average repair completion across 2 recalls is ~68%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.

68%
avg repaired

Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.

BMW Recall Completion Rate — Industry Context
91%Good

BMW completes recalls at a good rate (91%), averaging about 16 months to remedy. Most affected vehicles are fixed.

Avg time to remedy open recall: ~16 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports

Avg Fix Time
16mo
#21V554000
Invalid Date

SEAT BELTS

SummaryBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Read full details...
ConsequenceDuring a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
Est. Repair Completion~63%

~37% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

#21V062000
Oct 2021

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SummaryBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance.
Read full details...
ConsequenceA loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
Est. Repair Completion~73%

~27% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

Recall Intelligence

Detailed analysis of recall history and severity

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
4.8yr open
10/02/2021
2 total campaigns
Safety SystemsExterior/OtherBrakes
1
Part Replacements
1
Software/OTA Updates
0
Buyback/Refund
0
High-Effort Repairs
1 recall is over 2 years old — statistically less likely to have been completed. Verify repair status with any dealer using your VIN.
Complaints1

Complaint Intelligence

1 complaints analyzed across 1 system categories

Brakes
1

Owner Complaints

1 safety complaint filed with NHTSA

1found
ODI #11594234SERVICE BRAKES

Vehicle brake very very loudly. BMw claims this is normal, this is not true. Vehicle has extremely low miles and performs bad when braking.

Component Failure Cascade Risk

Known patterns where one defect leads to more severe downstream failures

CriticalEGR issue detected

Head gasket failure and engine overheating — EGR cooler failure is the leading cause of catastrophic engine failure on diesel engines

HighABS issue detected

Loss of brake assist and ABS in emergency — can significantly extend stopping distances

Details & Analysis
Financial

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation

$30,084
~$501/mo over 5 yrs
$0.5/mi
cost per mile
Fuel
$10,000
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$4,000
Repair Risk Buffer
$1,500
Depreciation
$7,084

Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $30,084 (~$501/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.

Negotiation Ammunition

Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down

2 open recalls (unverified repair status)−$1,000
1 recall over 2 years old — likely uncompleted−$400
Total recommended deduction−$1,400

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Tailored for the 2021 BMW M4 — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list

HIGH
Inspect for egr issue detected — ask for repair records
Head gasket failure and engine overheating — EGR cooler failure is the leading cause of catastrophic engine failure on diesel engines
HIGH
Inspect for abs issue detected — ask for repair records
Loss of brake assist and ABS in emergency — can significantly extend stopping distances
HIGH
Verify recall SEAT BELTS has been repaired
Recall on record for: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e
HIGH
Verify recall SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC has been repaired
Recall on record for: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xD
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: SERVICE BRAKES
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.

Recall Probability Forecast

Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals

5%
18-month
10%
2-year
Low Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 10%

5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.

Maintenance Schedule

OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle

Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.

Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.

History & Auctions

Auction History

Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators

Searching Public Auction Records

Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for WBS53AZ04MCH31634. Results appear automatically when found.

Insurance Cost Estimate

Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings

Full Coverage
$3,040–$3,880/yr
~$253–$323/mo
Liability Only
$670–$860/yr
~$56–$72/mo
Category: Performance LuxuryModerate surcharge risk
5-year-old vehicle: −7% (moderate depreciation)

Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.

Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History

Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations

BMW has been fined $3M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Failure to submit required Early Warning Reports to NHTSA.

2014$3MFailure to submit required Early Warning Reports to NHTSA

State-Specific Legal Protections

What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state

Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.

Complete Data Table

All decoded fields in a single flattened view

Vehicle Identity

VINWBS53AZ04MCH31634
Model Year2021
MakeBMW
ModelM4
Series4-Series
Vehicle TypePASSENGER CAR

Body & Configuration

Body StyleCoupe
Doors2
Seat Rows4
Fuel TypeGasoline
TransmissionAutomatic

Engine

Engine Cylinders6
Displacement (L)2.9922778864
Horsepower473

Manufacturer

ManufacturerBMW M GMBH
Assembly CityDINGOLFING
Assembly CountryGERMANY

VIN Structure

WMI (Chars 1–3)WBS
Check Digit (Char 9)4
Model Year Code (Char 10)M
Plant Code (Char 11)C
Sequence (Chars 12–17)H31634

Safety Data

NHTSA Recall Count2
NHTSA Complaint Count1

VIN Structure Decode

ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number

W
1
B
2
S
3
5
4
3
5
A
6
Z
7
0
8
4
9
M
10
C
11
H
12
3
13
1
14
6
15
3
16
4
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
W
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
B
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
S
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
53AZ0
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
4
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
M
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
C
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
H31634
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
Germany
From VIN position 1 (W)
Model Year Character
"M" → 2021
Could also be 1991
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm
Research This Model

Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/4/2026, 1:23:53 AM.