BMW Z4 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free BMW Z4 car check
Is the BMW Z4 reliable? We analysed 699,787 real MOT tests across 46,739 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific BMW Z4? Enter the reg for a free check:
The BMW Z4 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, coil spring broken and tyre has ply or cords exposed. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW Z4.
BMW Z4 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a BMW Z4. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
BMW Z4 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a BMW Z4 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
BMW Z4 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a BMW Z4 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
BMW Z4 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on BMW Z4 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
BMW Z4 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical BMW Z4 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
BMW Z4 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW Z4 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 449 | 93.5% | 10,500 | 14,946 | 22,669 |
| 2022 | 1,489 | 92.5% | 11,612 | 17,113 | 24,830 |
| 2021 | 3,140 | 91.7% | 13,872 | 20,792 | 29,309 |
| 2020 | 6,202 | 91.4% | 13,823 | 21,169 | 30,321 |
| 2019 | 10,630 | 90.2% | 14,301 | 21,737 | 31,387 |
| 2017 | 1,186 | 86.4% | 18,305 | 29,790 | 44,283 |
| 2016 | 10,850 | 86.9% | 18,801 | 29,050 | 42,669 |
| 2015 | 16,104 | 87.1% | 21,445 | 33,482 | 49,048 |
| 2014 | 21,788 | 86.8% | 24,093 | 36,769 | 53,545 |
| 2013 | 20,426 | 85.6% | 26,009 | 40,298 | 57,693 |
| 2012 | 26,988 | 85.1% | 27,548 | 43,358 | 62,952 |
| 2011 | 30,168 | 84.9% | 28,533 | 44,397 | 63,576 |
| 2010 | 33,777 | 84.3% | 28,470 | 47,026 | 68,215 |
| 2009 | 46,019 | 84.1% | 30,407 | 49,436 | 72,150 |
| 2008 | 40,474 | 78.4% | 34,532 | 55,168 | 78,806 |
| 2007 | 78,512 | 77.9% | 37,061 | 58,292 | 83,104 |
| 2006 | 83,382 | 77.4% | 38,676 | 60,936 | 86,221 |
| 2005 | 67,154 | 74.4% | 42,021 | 65,100 | 90,361 |
| 2004 | 102,153 | 76.2% | 42,127 | 66,558 | 92,582 |
| 2003 | 95,828 | 75.3% | 42,972 | 67,714 | 94,143 |
How Long Does a BMW Z4 Last?
Based on 46,739 BMW Z4 vehicles on UK roads.
BMW Z4 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all BMW Z4 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used BMW Z4
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.5% MOT pass rate from 449 tests
74.4% MOT pass rate from 67,154 tests
The best year to buy a used BMW Z4 is 2023, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.5% across 449 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the BMW Z4 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW Z4 THIS CAR | 79.5% | 699,787 | 54,403 mi | 23 yrs |
| BMW 3 Series | 75.1% | 12,840,406 | 90,743 mi | 37 yrs |
| BMW 118 | 81.5% | 1,923,256 | 64,042 mi | 22 yrs |
| BMW X5 | 77% | 1,735,343 | 83,401 mi | 25 yrs |
| Volvo S60 | 73.2% | 758,165 | 91,811 mi | 26 yrs |
Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW Z4 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a BMW Z4 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific BMW Z4Should you buy a used BMW Z4?
The BMW Z4 has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.5% across 699,787 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the BMW Z4 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (14,961 recorded failures), coil spring broken (6,689), and tyre has ply or cords exposed (5,893). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a BMW Z4 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical BMW Z4 owner drives around 3,672 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most BMW Z4 models stay on UK roads for around 23 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.