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BMW Z4 G29 (2019-present) reliability

At a glance

BMW Z4 G29 built around 2020: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on BMW Z4 G29 models built around 2020 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Looking at a BMW Z4 G29?

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

Key figure

5% of MOT tests on BMW Z4 G29 models built around 2020 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 2% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW Z4 G29 models built around 2020 involves the tyres.

BMW Z4 G29
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2019-presentConvertiblePETROL

Based on 5,776 tests of Z4 models registered 2019+.

About 1 in 12 petrol Z4 cars registered in 2022 (8.8%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 770 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 75 Z4 G29 MOTs (1.4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2020 (5 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,892 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 G29 MOTs (4.7%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2020 (5 years old).

Based on 1,892 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

G29 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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%

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 6 years old.

How the Z4 G29 compares

At each age below, see how the Z4 G29 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 121,757 tests across 19 BMW models, built around 2020 (5 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateBMW average
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%

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.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

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 G29.

  1. 1

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.1%
    Dangerous
    1.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 1.6%, against 4.7% for the BMW Z4 G29.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,135 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

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.

Recall context

14 recalls in all

5 of the 14 Z4 G29 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 recalls

Top concerns

  • Replace the engine starter motor
  • Affected vehicles may be fitted with brake discs which are not to specification
  • On affected vehicles there is a possible failure of the fuel tank welding joint which could lead to leakage

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

What has gone wrong on Z4 G29 cars built around 2020

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 104 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
3%

Wear items

Tyres
12%
Lighting
1%
How Z4 G29 cars have aged

How Z4 G29 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.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%3456Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.3% (848 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (774 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.4% (1,170 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.8% (1,095 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (1,012 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.6% (1,608 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.2% (1,483 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (1,408 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 9.9% (1,357 tests, 2025 data)2019
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019
G29 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 2020, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the G29 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    16.1%
    Advisory: 514Fail: 18 (3% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.6%
    Advisory: 204Fail: 99 (33% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    4.5%
    Advisory: 71Fail: 37 (34% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    1.5%
    Advisory: 46Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    Windscreen damaged, but the driver can still see clearly

    1.4%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,892 tests

Looking at a BMW Z4 G29?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2020 (5 years old), the BMW Z4 G29 (2019-present) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,892 5-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 5,776 MOT tests on BMW Z4 models first registered from 2019. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.