BMW Z4 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

34,031 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2003–2021 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 17 BMW Z4 years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

Below the average for their first-use yearNone
Above the average for their first-use year2003–2016 and 2019–2021
Can't be told apart from averageNone

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.

77.3%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 76.8% to 77.7%.

BMW Z4, all years77.3%
Same-age average, all vehicles64.3%

In 2025, 77.3% of the 34,031 initial MOT tests on BMW Z4 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 64.3%. That is 13.0 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific Z4

Its own MOT history, free.

BMW Z4 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.

Year	Testsmedian miles	Passed first time	Against all vehicles that year
2021age 4	1,07222,000	91.2%±1.9	+4.0 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 5	1,52825,700	90.5%±1.6	+4.5 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 6	2,01428,900	88.8%±1.5	+5.3 ptsall: 83.5%
2016age 9	1,23040,600	82.5%±2.3	+7.6 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 10	1,58748,600	81.9%±2.0	+10.0 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 11	1,91653,300	82.0%±1.8	+13.4 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 12	1,57559,000	80.3%±2.1	+14.5 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 13	1,83365,300	80.0%±1.9	+16.5 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 14	1,96565,200	81.2%±1.8	+20.0 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 15	1,95671,600	80.1%±1.9	+20.8 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 16	2,42675,100	79.6%±1.7	+21.3 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 17	1,74980,800	69.7%±2.2	+12.5 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 18	3,09985,800	73.1%±1.6	+15.7 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 19	2,87688,400	71.2%±1.7	+14.2 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 20	1,94892,800	64.6%±2.2	+7.0 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 21	2,89595,000	69.6%±1.8	+11.8 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 22	2,36297,600	69.0%±1.9	+10.3 ptsall: 58.7%

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 Z4 first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

90.8% of BMW Z4 tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 63.2% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 86.9% and 54.6%.

Miles at the test	Tests	Passed first time	Against all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,000	4,774	90.8%±0.9	+3.9 ptsall: 86.9%
30,000–59,999	9,464	83.2%±0.8	+9.2 ptsall: 74.0%
60,000–89,999	9,787	75.4%±0.9	+13.5 ptsall: 61.9%
90,000–119,999	6,536	69.1%±1.2	+13.1 ptsall: 56.0%
120,000 or more	3,441	63.2%±1.7	+8.5 ptsall: 54.6%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Z4 tests were above average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all BMW Z4 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. 29 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Z4 problems at the MOT

Share of the 7,735 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%.

Tyres25.8%

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 Z4

The defects recorded most often at the 7,735 failed initial tests on BMW Z4 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.

Defect	Share of failed tests	All vehicles, same age
Tyre has ply or cords exposedTyres	9.2%709 tests	4.2%
Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks	8.6%669 tests	6.0%
Coil spring fractured or brokenSuspension	7.7%593 tests	7.9%
Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors	7.5%580 tests	6.6%
SRS malfunction indicator lamp warning lamp indicates a faultSeat belts and airbags	6.6%513 tests	2.3%
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres	6.6%508 tests	6.9%
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres	6.0%461 tests	3.6%
Rigid brake pipes excessively corrodedBrakes	5.2%405 tests	3.3%
Washer provides insufficient washer liquidWindscreen, wipers, mirrors	5.1%397 tests	5.2%
Road wheel fracturedWheels	5.0%388 tests	0.1%

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 Z4's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing a Z4

Based on the areas where BMW Z4 MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

Tyres
In 25.8% of failed Z4 tests
- Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
- Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

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

Check a Z4's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

BMW Z4 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.

Tyres

Of BMW Z4 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.3% failed on tyres, against 4.6% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 3,411 and 15,915 cars.

With a tyre advisory10.3%
Similar cars, nothing noted4.6%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 15.4% of those with a tyre advisory and 14.2% of the others.

Brakes

Of BMW Z4 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.9% failed on brakes, against 4.4% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 3,203 and 15,258 cars.

With a brake advisory8.9%
Similar cars, nothing noted4.4%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 17.6% of those with a brake advisory and 13.7% of the others.

Suspension

Of BMW Z4 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 11.6% failed on suspension, against 7.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,947 and 16,264 cars.

With a suspension advisory11.6%
Similar cars, nothing noted7.3%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 19.8% of those with a suspension advisory and 13.7% 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 out All models compared, with the data

BMW Z4 questions

Which BMW Z4 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: 2003–2016 and 2019–2021. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the BMW Z4 reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 77.3% of initial MOT tests on BMW Z4 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 64.3%. That is 13.0 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 Z4 problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are tyres (in 25.8% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old BMW Z4?

At their 2025 MOT tests, BMW Z4 cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 48,600 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Z4'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 Z4

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

Compare history checks What MOT history doesn't show

Other BMW models

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

All 22 BMW models Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all BMW Z4 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count