2002 BMW Z3 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 73.6% of BMW Z3s first used in 2002 passed their MOT first time, against 59.5% for all cars first used in 2002. Across 3,264 Z3 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and suspension.

This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW Z3s first used in 2002 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
73.6%
of 1,037 first tests; all cars first used in 2002: 59.5%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
3,264
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,037 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
37.7%
of 1,037 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
78,000
middle half: 55,000–98,500 miles; all cars first used in 2002: 102,000

How the 2002 BMW Z3 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Z3s first used in 2002 against all cars first used in 2002 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Z3 figure was 14.1 points higher.

2002 Z3All cars first used in 2002
50%60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2002, test year 2021: 54.4%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2022: 56.2%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2023: 57.5%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2024: 58%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2025: 59.5%2002 Z3, test year 2021: 66.7%2002 Z3, test year 2022: 70.2%2002 Z3, test year 2023: 71%2002 Z3, test year 2024: 72.7%2002 Z3, test year 2025: 73.6%73.6%59.5%
View this chart as a table
Test year2002 Z3All cars first used 2002Z3 first tests
202166.7%54.4%1,236
202270.2%56.2%1,184
202371.0%57.5%1,147
202472.7%58.0%1,080
202573.6%59.5%1,037

Common 2002 BMW Z3 MOT failures

Share of the 902 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment40.0%
Brakes36.7%
Suspension28.6%
Visibility23.1%
Noise, emissions and leaks13.1%
Tyres11.6%
Body, chassis, structure11.4%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems8.3%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working12.0%108
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid8.9%80
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded8.1%73
Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault7.8%70
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively7.8%70

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2002 BMW Z3 before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  3. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.

Common 2002 BMW Z3 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2002 Z3s, as a share of all 3,264 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material17.7%578
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive10.5%342
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened9.9%322
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.4%306
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.8%253

Questions about the 2002 BMW Z3 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2002 BMW Z3?

In 2025, 73.6% of Z3s first used in 2002 passed their MOT first time, against 59.5% for all cars first used in 2002. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2002 Z3 most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 40.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (36.7%) and suspension (28.6%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (12.0%).

How often does a 2002 BMW Z3 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 26.4% of first tests on Z3s first used in 2002 did not pass first time: 22.2% failed, and a further 4.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 902 of 3,264 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2002 BMW Z3 MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 17.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (10.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.9%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (9.4%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (7.8%).

Is a 2002 BMW Z3 reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 66.7% in 2021 to 73.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2002

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2002 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2002 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2002 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2002 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2002 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics

How the 2002 BMW Z3 MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2002 Z3” means a BMW Z3 whose date of first use falls in 2002 (51, 02 and 52 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2002, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.