1999 BMW Z3: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 BMW Z3?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 BMW Z3 than on all cars registered in 1999.

• Airbag warning light3.5× usual
  BMW Z3

  4.5% All 1999 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes1.8× usual
  BMW Z3

  4.6% All 1999 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.5% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Suspension arm1.7× usual
  BMW Z3

  4.7% All 1999 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Anti-lock braking system2.6× usual
  BMW Z3

  2.9% All 1999 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Power steering pipes and hoses2.1× usual
  BMW Z3

  2.5% All 1999 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Common 1999 BMW Z3 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 BMW Z3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  36% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  35% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  20% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  12% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 BMW Z3

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 1999 BMW Z3 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 1999 BMW Z3 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 1999 BMW Z3 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?