BMW Z3

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 9 model years from 30,418 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

78%

Total Tests

30,418

Highest Pass Rate

2002 (83%)

Years Covered

About the BMW Z3

The BMW Z3 was MOT tested 30,418 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 9 model years (1996 to 2011), with an average pass rate of 78%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2002 model has the highest pass rate at 83% from 2,094 tests. The 1997 model has the lowest at 75%. The 8 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW Z3s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1996) averages 96,619 miles, while the newest (2011) averages 39,105 miles.

Compared to the BMW brand average of 88%, the Z3 is 10 points lower, placing it among the less reliable BMW models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2979cc)

£1,958

Road Tax

£445

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,658

Per month£222/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2011 details

How reliable is the BMW Z3?

vs average of all models-4% (82% avg)

vs BMW brand average-10% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread8 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

BMW Z3 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2011	90%	31	39,105 mi
2003	81%	138	74,358 mi
2002	83%	2,094	78,100 mi
2001	80%	3,147	81,138 mi
2000	79%	3,462	85,606 mi
1999	78%	8,191	89,294 mi
1998	77%	8,057	87,787 mi
1997	75%	5,268	93,349 mi
1996	63%	30	96,619 mi

Questions about the BMW Z3

Is the BMW Z3 reliable?

Across its 9 model years in our data (1996 to 2011), the BMW Z3 averages a 78% MOT pass rate, from 30,418 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 4 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2002 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 83%.

Which year BMW Z3 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2002 BMW Z3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 83%, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 75%, a 8 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.