BMW Z4
From 65,171 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Z4s fare better: 2022 models pass at 97.4% vs 75.9% for 2003.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a tyre cords visible or damaged and a tyre seriously damaged. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 1,294 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 1,294 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 1,012 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 996 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 925 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 814 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 684 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 675 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 606 |
| any fracture or welding defect on a wheel | 562 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 557 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 15.3% of Z4 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 52% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £117.
The warranty question
A new Z4 passes its MOT 93% of the time. By 7 years old that drops to 86.5%, a 6.5 percentage point fall, right as the manufacturer warranty runs out. At 10 years it's down to 87.4%. With an average repair bill of £117 when things go wrong, an extended warranty can make sense on a Z4 that's past its third birthday.
BMW Z4 on UK roads
The fleet is growing: 629 newly registered in the past year with 502 leaving, a net gain of 127. Currently at its highest numbers ever.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 33,943 | 5,494 | +193 | -193 | +0 |
| 2025 Q2 | 34,291 | 5,146 | +198 | -132 | +66 |
| 2025 Q1 | 32,486 | 6,885 | +102 | -0 | +202 |
| 2024 Q4 | 32,212 | 6,957 | +136 | -177 | -41 |
| 2024 Q3 | 34,248 | 4,962 | +277 | -0 | +294 |
| 2024 Q2 | 34,516 | 4,400 | +248 | -0 | +732 |
| 2024 Q1 | 33,164 | 5,020 | +135 | -950 | -815 |
| 2023 Q4 | 32,959 | 6,040 | +42 | -111 | -69 |
20 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z4 Sdrive20I M Sport Auto | Petrol | 5,411 | 21% |
| Z4 Sdrive20I M Sport | Petrol | 2,330 | 9% |
| Z4 M40I Auto | Petrol | 2,000 | 8% |
| Z4 Sdrive23I | Petrol | 1,736 | 7% |
| Z4 Si Sport | Gas | 1,637 | 6% |
| Z4 2.2I Se | Petrol | 1,291 | 5% |
| Z4 Sport | Petrol | 1,236 | 5% |
| Z4 Se | Petrol | 1,177 | 5% |
| Z4 Sdrive30I M Sport Auto | Petrol | 958 | 4% |
| Z4 3.0I Se | Gas | 875 | 3% |
| Z4 2.5I | Petrol | 805 | 3% |
| Z4 Se Roadster | Petrol | 770 | 3% |
| Z4 2.0I Sport | Petrol | 719 | 3% |
| Z4 2.5I Se | Gas | 696 | 3% |
| Z4 Sdrive18I M Sport | Petrol | 668 | 3% |
| Z4 Sdrive20I | Petrol | 660 | 3% |
| Z4 3.0I | Petrol | 659 | 3% |
| Z4 Sdrive23I Auto | Petrol | 659 | 3% |
| Z4 Sdrive28I M Sport Auto | Petrol | 610 | 2% |
| Z4 M | Petrol | 608 | 2% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 97.4% | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2021 | 94.3% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2020 | 93% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2019 | 92.6% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
15 earlier years
| 2017 | 89.7% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2016 | 86.5% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2015 | 89% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2014 | 86.4% | any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2013 | 87.4% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, any fracture or welding defect on a wheel |
| 2012 | 85.9% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2011 | 85.5% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2010 | 83.7% | a tyre seriously damaged, any fracture or welding defect on a wheel |
| 2009 | 85.2% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2008 | 78.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2007 | 80.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2006 | 79% | brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2005 | 76.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2004 | 75.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2003 | 75.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
Typical mileage
Half of all Z4s tested had between 14,818 and 21,438 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 17,429 median miles, the Z4 has 0.095 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW Z4 MOT pass rate?
The BMW Z4 has a 83.4% MOT pass rate based on 65,171 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW Z4?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW Z4 is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 1,294 failures. Other common issues include a tyre cords visible or damaged.
How many BMW Z4s are on UK roads?
There are 33,943 BMW Z4s currently licensed on UK roads, with 5,494 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW Z4 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW Z4 is 17,429 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 14,818 and 21,438 miles.
Buying a used Z4?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 83.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £117 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.