BMW Z4: what fails at MOT
53,000 MOT tests on the BMW Z4 in 2024, counted. 18.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
18.7% of BMW Z4 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 33%, so the Z4 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3.3% of tests), suspension (3.2% of tests) and lights and electrics (3.2% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,938 | 6.0% | 10.9% | 15,900 11,100 to 22,700 |
| 2020 | 2,656 | 7.5% | 11.5% | 20,100 14,800 to 28,700 |
| 2019 | 3,388 | 7.9% | 13.4% | 24,800 17,000 to 33,500 |
| 2016 | 2,082 | 15.7% | 21.3% | 36,800 25,300 to 49,800 |
| 2015 | 2,863 | 12.3% | 24.4% | 45,000 31,600 to 58,000 |
| 2014 | 3,231 | 15.3% | 27.7% | 50,200 35,100 to 65,300 |
| 2013 | 2,816 | 14.2% | 30.6% | 55,600 39,300 to 73,100 |
| 2012 | 3,303 | 16.4% | 33.4% | 63,100 45,400 to 80,900 |
| 2011 | 3,344 | 16.7% | 36.1% | 62,600 48,300 to 82,700 |
| 2010 | 3,118 | 18.9% | 38.6% | 69,200 51,900 to 87,600 |
| 2009 | 4,259 | 17.4% | 39.8% | 70,900 53,100 to 93,400 |
| 2008 | 2,719 | 26.2% | 41.5% | 78,900 59,100 to 97,900 |
| 2007 | 4,669 | 23.7% | 41.5% | 84,500 63,700 to 106,700 |
| 2006 | 4,681 | 25.9% | 42.4% | 87,600 65,300 to 108,200 |
| 2005 | 3,238 | 28.3% | 42.2% | 94,300 74,500 to 114,800 |
| 2004 | 4,836 | 29.5% | 42.3% | 93,900 70,400 to 114,800 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of BMW Z4 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Z4 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres Less than most | 3.3% | 4.5% |
| Suspension Less than most | 3.2% | 8.2% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 3.2% | 10.1% |
| Brakes Less than most | 2.6% | 6.0% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 2.1% | 3.7% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 1.6% | 3.0% |
| Wheels | 0.9% | 0.3% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% | 1.0% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.1%
- Headlamp aim1.2%
- Washers1.1%
- Engine warning light1.0%
- Wipers1.0%
- Coil spring0.9%
- Tyre tread0.9%
- Brake pipes0.7%
- Headlamp0.7%
- Shock absorbers0.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.0%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.0%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.9%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.8%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.7%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded0.7%
- Wheel: fractured0.7%
- Airbag warning light: warning lamp indicates a fault0.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge7.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.6%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.6%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin2.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.0%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil1.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a BMW Z4's own MOT record
Looking at a Z4? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.