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BMW Z3 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

11,084 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 1997–2002 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

No BMW Z3 year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 1998–2002. The other year can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

70.2%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 69.3% to 71.0%.

In 2025, 70.2% of the 11,084 initial MOT tests on BMW Z3 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 63.8%. That is 6.4 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific Z3

Its own MOT history, free.

BMW Z3 MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2002age 231,03777,60073.6%±2.8+14.1 ptsall: 59.5%
2001age 241,73679,30071.7%±2.2+10.6 ptsall: 61.1%
2000age 251,83881,00070.2%±2.2+7.5 ptsall: 62.7%
1999age 262,62785,70070.2%±1.8+5.6 ptsall: 64.6%
1998age 272,32384,60070.0%±1.9+4.4 ptsall: 65.6%
1997age 281,52389,10066.6%±2.5−0.3 ptsall: 66.9%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

BMW Z3 first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

80.9% of BMW Z3 tests at 30,000 to 59,999 miles passed first time, against 59.2% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 70.3% and 59.5%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
30,000–59,9992,15280.9%±1.8+10.5 ptsall: 70.3%
60,000–89,9993,63171.3%±1.5+6.2 ptsall: 65.2%
90,000–119,9992,96564.4%±1.8+2.1 ptsall: 62.3%
120,000 or more1,69059.2%±2.4−0.3 ptsall: 59.5%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Z3 tests were above average at 30,000 to 119,999 miles and about average at 120,000 miles or more.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all BMW Z3 tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000. 68 tests (0.6%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Z3 problems at the MOT

Share of the 3,303 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

Most common MOT failures on the BMW Z3

The defects recorded most often at the 3,303 failed initial tests on BMW Z3 cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

DefectShare of failed testsAll vehicles, same age
Position lamp not workingLights and electrics11.6%383 tests9.7%
SRS malfunction indicator lamp warning lamp indicates a faultSeat belts and airbags10.5%346 tests2.6%
Catalyst emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limitsNoise, emissions, leaks8.9%295 tests5.9%
Washer provides insufficient washer liquidWindscreen, wipers, mirrors7.8%257 tests5.1%
Suspension arm ball joint excessively wornSuspension7.5%249 tests4.0%
Coil spring fractured or brokenSuspension7.0%230 tests3.2%
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS faultBrakes6.8%226 tests2.8%
Rigid brake pipes excessively corrodedBrakes6.8%225 tests4.8%
Parking brake efficiency below requirementsBrakes6.7%222 tests6.6%
Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors6.6%218 tests8.3%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Z3's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing a Z3

Based on the areas where BMW Z3 MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 39.4% of failed Z3 tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Brakes

    In 32.5% of failed Z3 tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

  3. Suspension

    In 30.7% of failed Z3 tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  4. Noise, emissions, leaks

    In 24.3% of failed Z3 tests

    • Ask to see the car start from cold. Heavy smoke from the exhaust is worth asking about.
    • Listen for blowing or rattling from the exhaust with the engine running.
    • Look under the car for drips of oil, coolant or other fluids.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Z3's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

BMW Z3 cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Brakes

Of BMW Z3 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 9.7% failed on brakes, against 5.0% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,425 and 3,897 cars.

  • With a brake advisory9.7%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted5.0%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 21.5% of those with a brake advisory and 21.8% of the others.

Suspension

Of BMW Z3 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 13.3% failed on suspension, against 6.2% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,221 and 4,095 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory13.3%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted6.2%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 21.5% of those with a suspension advisory and 21.8% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

BMW Z3 questions

Which BMW Z3 years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 1998–2002. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the BMW Z3 reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 70.2% of initial MOT tests on BMW Z3 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 63.8%. That is 6.4 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common BMW Z3 problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 39.4% of failed tests), brakes (in 32.5% of failed tests) and suspension (in 30.7% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 23-year-old BMW Z3?

At their 2025 MOT tests, BMW Z3 cars first used in 2002, about 23 years old, had a median of 77,600 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Z3's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any BMW Z3

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other BMW models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 22 BMW modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all BMW Z3 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count