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BMW Z4 reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-present3 named generationsConvertiblePETROL
At a glance

BMW Z4 built around 2007: about average at the MOT

BMW Z4 models built around 2007 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a BMW Z4 by number plate

Key figure

23% of MOT tests on BMW Z4 models built around 2007 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW Z4 models built around 2007 involves the brakes.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The BMW Z4's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Z4's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Z4 G29

G29 (2019-present)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROL

9.3% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 1,892 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Z4 E89

E89 (2009-2016)

Excellent
PETROL

15.4% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 1,587 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Z4 E85/E86

E85/E86 (2003-2008)

Excellent
PETROL

22.5% fail rate, built around 2007 (18 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.3%)

From 4,417 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the BMW Z4.

See every build year for the BMW Z4

Side-by-side

BMW Z4 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
G29 (2019-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings9.3%built around 2020 (5 years old)from 1,892 MOT tests at this age
E89 (2009-2016)
Excellent
Excellent15.4%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 1,587 MOT tests at this age
E85/E86 (2003-2008)
Excellent
Excellent22.5%built around 2007 (18 years old)from 4,417 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Z4, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

BMW Z4 fail rate by age

This chart combines every BMW Z4 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
1,0926.5%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,4358.8%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,8929.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,35710.0%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
74213.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,58715.4%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
2,16116.0%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,06916.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
2,04116.6%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
2,38016.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
2,12916.3%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
2,80016.6%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
2,41920.6%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
2,89622.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
4,41722.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
2,61226.0%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
2,83625.1%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
4,11224.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,02624.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 19 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 18-year-old BMW Z4 models

These issues come from 18-year-old BMW Z4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    22.2%
    Advisory: 1,548Fail: 196 (11% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    15.3%
    Advisory: 975Fail: 88 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    14.8%
    Advisory: 803Fail: 237 (23% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    14.2%
    Advisory: 641Fail: 3 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    10.9%
    Advisory: 712Fail: 4 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,417 MOT tests on 18-year-old BMW Z4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 18-year-old BMW Z4 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension39%
  2. Brakes + Tyres29%
  3. Brakes + Lighting23%
  4. Brakes + Fuel & oil23%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,065 MOT tests on BMW Z4 cars built around 2007 (18 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

96%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

14 recalls in all

11 of the 14 BMW Z4 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 10 more

Top concerns

  • Plug in contact cable may malfunction
  • Replace the engine starter motor
  • Replace VANOS bolts N51 N52 N55

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    Porsche Boxster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.5%
    Dangerous
    3.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.9%

    Lower fail rate: 14.6%, against 22.5% for the BMW Z4, both built around 2007.

    1,983 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  2. 2

    Volvo C70

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    31.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.4%
    Dangerous
    9.4%

    No clear edge over the BMW Z4 on these figures.

    1,398 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  3. 3

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.2%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    No clear edge over the BMW Z4 on these figures.

    8,811 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz SLK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.1%
    Dangerous
    5.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.7%

    No clear edge over the BMW Z4 on these figures.

    4,266 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2007 (18 years old), the BMW Z4 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,417 18-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every BMW Z4 ever sold: 42,003 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2007 (18 years old): 4,417 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.