2003 BMW Z4 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 69.0% of BMW Z4s first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. Across 7,599 Z4 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were brakes, suspension and lamps and electrical equipment.

This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW Z4s first used in 2003 (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
69.0%
of 2,362 first tests; all cars first used in 2003: 58.7%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
7,599
first tests, 2023–2025; 2,362 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
30.4%
of 2,362 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
97,500
middle half: 74,000–119,500 miles; all cars first used in 2003: 103,000

How the 2003 BMW Z4 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Z4s first used in 2003 against all cars first used in 2003 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Z4 figure was 10.3 points higher.

2003 Z4All cars first used in 2003
50%60%70%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2003, test year 2021: 54%All cars first used in 2003, test year 2022: 55.7%All cars first used in 2003, test year 2023: 56.7%All cars first used in 2003, test year 2024: 57.2%All cars first used in 2003, test year 2025: 58.7%2003 Z4, test year 2021: 65.2%2003 Z4, test year 2022: 68%2003 Z4, test year 2023: 65.6%2003 Z4, test year 2024: 67.7%2003 Z4, test year 2025: 69%69%58.7%
View this chart as a table
Test year2003 Z4All cars first used 2003Z4 first tests
202165.2%54.0%2,929
202268.0%55.7%2,844
202365.6%56.7%2,710
202467.7%57.2%2,527
202569.0%58.7%2,362

Common 2003 BMW Z4 MOT failures

Share of the 2,479 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%.

Brakes33.4%
Suspension32.8%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment32.1%
Visibility19.8%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems17.5%
Tyres17.5%
Noise, emissions and leaks12.1%
Body, chassis, structure7.1%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault16.9%419
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded10.0%247
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm9.4%233
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively8.6%213
Ball joint: excessively worn8.2%204

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

Typical repair costs for common MOT failures

Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Z4 in particular, and not a quote.

Failure itemTypical jobTypical UK priceUsual range
Ball joint: excessively wornBall joint replacement£90£60–£150

From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.

What to check on a 2003 BMW Z4 before buying

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

  1. 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.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.

Common 2003 BMW Z4 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2003 Z4s, as a share of all 7,599 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material22.6%1,721
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge14.2%1,080
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive12.5%950
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.8%671
Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened7.4%559

Questions about the 2003 BMW Z4 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2003 BMW Z4?

In 2025, 69.0% of Z4s first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2003 Z4 most often fail its MOT on?

Brakes (in 33.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (32.8%) and lamps and electrical equipment (32.1%). The single most common item was “SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault” (16.9%).

How often does a 2003 BMW Z4 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 31.0% of first tests on Z4s first used in 2003 did not pass first time: 25.2% failed, and a further 5.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,479 of 7,599 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2003 BMW Z4 MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 22.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (14.2%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (12.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.8%) and “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (7.4%).

Is a 2003 BMW Z4 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 65.2% in 2021 to 69.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2003

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

2003 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2003 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2003 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics

How the 2003 BMW Z4 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. “2003 Z4” means a BMW Z4 whose date of first use falls in 2003 (52, 03 and 53 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 2003, 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. Repair prices are typical UK prices for the job from published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026 — not for this model, and not a quote. 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.