2002 BMW Z3: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 BMW Z3?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 BMW Z3 than on all cars registered in 2002.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes1.9× usual
  BMW Z3

  4.3% All 2002 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.5% of all 2002 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.

• Side repeaters1.9× usual
  BMW Z3

  2.9% All 2002 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Power steering pipes and hoses2× usual
  BMW Z3

  2% All 2002 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2002 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 2002 BMW Z3 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 BMW Z3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  35% 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
  31% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 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 anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2002 BMW Z3 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2002 BMW Z3 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the power steering pipes and hoses? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2002 BMW Z3 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?