BMW Z4: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The BMW Z4 passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 3.3 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 35,539 individual BMW Z4 tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate80%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+3.3 points
Tests analysed35,539
Average mileage at test68,502 miles
Average year of manufacture2010
Reliability rank1,442 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 80% first-time pass rate means roughly 20 in every 100 BMW Z4s presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average BMW Z4 tested had covered 68,502 miles and was built around 2010.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The BMW Z4 sits 3.3 points above the national average, ranked 1,442 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific BMW Z4 rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged BMW Z4s at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a BMW Z4

  1. Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, 1.4% of tests (24.36x the national rate for this defect)
  2. An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction, 1.2% of tests (2.88x the national rate for this defect)
  3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 2.4% of tests (2.28x the national rate for this defect)
  4. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.7% of tests (1.62x the national rate for this defect)
  5. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.6% of tests (1.29x the national rate for this defect)
  6. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1.1% of tests (1.18x the national rate for this defect)
  7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 3.6% of tests
  8. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.7% of tests
  9. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2.3% of tests
  10. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 1.8% of tests

From 35,516 DVSA-tracked BMW Z4 tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 5.73% of these flagged BMW Z4 defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a BMW Z4

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a BMW Z4 before it actually fails on it.

  1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 3.2% of tests (5.63x the national rate for this advisory)
  2. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 13.6% of tests (2.19x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
  3. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 1.5% of tests (1.39x the national rate for this advisory)
  4. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 7.6% of tests (1.37x the national rate for this advisory)
  5. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 1.5% of tests (1.18x the national rate for this advisory)
  6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 22.9% of tests, also fails
  7. A tyre seriously damaged, 13.7% of tests, also fails
  8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 12% of tests
  9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 10.6% of tests, also fails
  10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 5.3% of tests

From 35,516 DVSA-tracked BMW Z4 tests, 2024.

BMW Z4 pass rate by model year

From its 2003 to its 2021 model year, the BMW Z4's first-time pass rate has risen 18.5 points, from 73% to 91.5%, the usual pattern: a newer model year is a younger car today, so it fails less. First-time pass rate for each BMW Z4 year:

Other BMW models

Models with a similar pass rate

If this car is a salvage or write-off

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BMW Z4 MOT pass rate badge: 80%

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BMW Z4 most common MOT failure: Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel (1.4% of tests)

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate