How much does a 2002 BMW Z3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

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

The 2002 BMW Z3 has a 83% MOT pass rate based on 2,094 tests in 2026. This ranks 68 out of 403 cars from 2002.

Which year BMW Z3 is most reliable?

The 2002 BMW Z3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 83%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 75%.

BMW Z3 (2002)

Q: Is the 2002 BMW Z3 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of BMW Z3s from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 2,094 tests. That's 1 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2002 BMW Z3?

The average mileage for a 2002 BMW Z3 is 78,100 miles, which is significantly below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 2,094 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3246cc Petrol

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol3246cc24 years old2,094 tests78k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3246cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 3246cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,757

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

83% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 24 years old, 83% of BMW Z3s from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 2,094 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 78,100 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars68th of 403(top 17%)

Rank among BMW models1219th of 1,564(top 78%)

vs national average+1%(82% avg)

vs 2002 cars average+10%(73% avg)

vs BMW average-5%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

78,100

Average miles

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 BMW Z3 has 78,100 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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BMW Z3 by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 3 SERIES

2001 · 3000cc Petrol

£2,397/year

77%

-6%

MERCEDES E

2004 · 3199cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-5%

PORSCHE BOXSTER

2003 · 3179cc Petrol

£2,247/year

82%

-1%

PORSCHE 911

2002 · 3596cc Petrol

£2,247/year

86%

+3%

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About the 2002 BMW Z3

The 2002 BMW Z3 is a premium performance with a 3246cc petrol engine. 2,094 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 17% of all 2002 cars for reliability.

With an average of 78,100 miles at 24 years old, BMW Z3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2002 BMW Z3 Fuel Costs

The 3246cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2002 BMW Z3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW Z3 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW Z3s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2002 BMW Z3

At 24 years old, the BMW Z3 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 BMW Z3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 24 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2002 BMW Z3 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW Z3(2002)	83%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2757
BMW 3 SERIES(2001)	77%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2397-£360
MERCEDES E(2004)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£360
PORSCHE BOXSTER(2003)	82%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
PORSCHE 911(2002)	86%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.