BMW Z4 common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used BMW Z4, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 104,948 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2023 BMW Z4
Cars registered in 2023 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the BMW Z4 as a whole.
What to check on a 2023 car
- Warranty left
Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.
- Servicing
Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.
- Finance
Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.
- Recalls
Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.
- Logbook (V5C)
The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
20262025202420232022202120202019201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003
What usually goes wrong with a BMW Z4?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2009–2016 · All engines
Cracked alloy wheels
Owners have reported alloy wheels cracking, which are expensive to replace.
At the viewing: Look at each wheel, including the inner rim through the spokes.
- Cars registered 2009–2016 · All engines
Electrical gremlins
The most common problems are small electrical faults.
At the viewing: Test every electrical item, including the roof.
Common BMW Z4 MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Wheels
up to 4.5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Rough price £70–£150 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Airbag warning light
up to 4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Nail or damage in a tyre
up to 2.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2021 and 2022.
Rough price £70–£150 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.
Rigid brake pipes
up to 1.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005 and 2006.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
BMW Z4 MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 BMW Z4 did best (80% passed first time, 21 points above all 2009 cars) and the 2022 did worst (92%, 3 points above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 92% | 89% +3 | 998 |
| 2021 | 91% | 87% +4 | 2,215 |
| 2020 | 91% | 87% +4 | 4,561 |
| 2019 | 89% | 85% +4 | 6,012 |
| 2017 | 84% | 80% +4 | 428 (small sample) |
| 2016 | 83% | 77% +6 | 3,653 |
| 2015 | 84% | 74% +10 | 4,744 |
| 2014 | 83% | 70% +13 | 5,719 |
| 2013 | 81% | 67% +14 | 4,699 |
| 2012 | 80% | 64% +16 | 5,590 |
| 2011 | 81% | 62% +19 | 5,886 |
| 2010 | 80% | 60% +20 | 5,896 |
| 2009 | 80% | 59% +21 | 7,403 |
| 2008 | 70% | 57% +13 | 5,479 |
| 2007 | 73% | 57% +16 | 9,463 |
| 2006 | 70% | 56% +14 | 9,140 |
| 2005 | 65% | 57% +8 | 6,283 |
| 2004 | 69% | 57% +12 | 9,235 |
| 2003 | 67% | 57% +10 | 7,544 |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a BMW Z4
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have any wheels been replaced or repaired?
- Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the BMW Z4 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the BMW Z4 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the nail or damage in a tyre? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the BMW Z4 as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a BMW Z4?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score