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BMW Z4 E85/E86 (2003-2008) reliability

At a glance

BMW Z4 E85/E86 built around 2007: about average at the MOT

BMW Z4 E85/E86 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.

Looking at a BMW Z4 E85/E86?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

23% of MOT tests on BMW Z4 E85/E86 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 E85/E86 models built around 2007 involves the brakes.

BMW Z4 E85/E86
excellent reliability2003-2008ConvertiblePETROL

Based on 18,909 tests of Z4 models registered 2003-2008.

About 1 in 12 Z4 E85/E86 MOTs (8.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2007 (18 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 4,417 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Z4 E85/E86 MOTs (5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2007 (18 years old).

Based on 4,417 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

E85/E86 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,01023.9%
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.

How the Z4 E85/E86 compares

At each age below, see how the Z4 E85/E86 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 55,685 tests across 10 BMW models, built around 2007 (18 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateBMW average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,01023.9%
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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Z4 E85/E86.

  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 E85/E86, 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 E85/E86 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 E85/E86 on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    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 E85/E86 on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    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.

How many are still registered

96%of all BMW Z4 cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

1 of the 14 Z4 E85/E86 recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Plug in contact cable may malfunction

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

What has gone wrong on Z4 E85/E86 cars built around 2007

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 341 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
76%
Emissions
25%
Steering
1%

Wear items

Tyres
56%
Brakes
55%
Lighting
51%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 10% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2007 (18 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol Z4 tests (not specific to E85/E86).

1.4 to 2.0 litres26.3%1,522 tests2.0 to 3.0 litres22.0%2,397 tests3.0 litres or moreToo few tests to rely on498 tests
How Z4 E85/E86 cars have aged

How Z4 E85/E86 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1315171921Age at MOTBuilt around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 23.4% (1,431 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 22.9% (1,381 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 22.4% (1,318 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 23.1% (1,281 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 23.9% (1,227 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 22.4% (2,609 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (2,465 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (2,381 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 21.6% (2,209 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 21.9% (2,201 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (1,934 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 23.4% (1,787 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 21.3% (1,672 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (1,569 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 22.9% (1,393 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 27.1% (1,758 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 28.2% (1,648 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (1,528 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 26.4% (1,435 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (1,305 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (2,723 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 24.8% (2,533 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (2,490 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (2,283 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (2,113 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (1,637 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (1,408 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (1,271 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 25.7% (1,131 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (1,026 tests, 2025 data)2003
First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005
How each part holds up as E85/E86 cars age

How each part holds up as E85/E86 cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2005-2008 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car17 years18 years19 years20 years
Suspension67%76%80%82%
Brakes47%55%57%69%
Emissions28%25%25%41%
Tyres55%56%56%57%
Lighting47%51%51%57%
DrivetrainNo figureNo figure1%No figure
Steering6%1%2%2%
Corrosion8%10%5%13%

Based on petrol cars in the 2005-2008 build-year band, from 177 to 341 cars at each age.

E85/E86 variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on BMW Z4 models of this age

This list covers every BMW Z4 built around 2007, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the E85/E86 on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a BMW Z4 E85/E86?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2007 (18 years old), the BMW Z4 E85/E86 (2003-2008) 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.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 18,909 MOT tests on BMW Z4 models first registered between 2003-2008. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.