BMW Z3 (2011)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 31 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,658

£222/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£445

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

2979cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £2,658/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Petrol2979cc15 years old31 tests39k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2979cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£445

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,658

Per month£222/mo

Per week£51/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

90% of MOT tests on BMW Z3s from 2011 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 13 years old. That's based on 31 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 39,105 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2011 models111th of 595(top 19%)

Rank among BMW models769th of 1,548(top half)

vs average of all models+8%(82% avg)

vs 2011 models average+13%(77% avg)

vs BMW average+2%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

39,105

Average miles

96,200

Expected for age

The average 2011 BMW Z3 had 39,105 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 96,200 miles for a 13-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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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2002 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 83%, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 75%. The 2011 scores 90%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Vauxhall Insignia

2011 · 2792cc Petrol

£2,958/year

77%

-13%

BMW 1 Series

2013 · 2979cc Petrol

£2,808/year

84%

-6%

Audi TT

2011 · 2480cc Petrol

£2,808/year

85%

-5%

BMW X1

2011 · 3000cc Petrol

£2,808/year

81%

-9%

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About the 2011 BMW Z3

The 2011 BMW Z3 is a premium performance car. Our records list a 2979cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 31 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 19% of all 2011 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 39,105 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

2011 BMW Z3 Fuel Costs

The 2979cc 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 £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2011 BMW Z3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,658 (£222/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £445 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW Z3 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.

Buying a Used 2011 BMW Z3

At 15 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2002 model has the highest pass rate at 83%. Note: with only 31 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 15 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 2011 BMW Z3 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
BMW Z3(2011)	90%	£1,958	£445	Grp 30-42	£2,658
Vauxhall Insignia(2011)	77%	£1,958	£445	Grp 30-42	£2,958+£300
BMW 1 Series(2013)	84%	£1,958	£445	Grp 30-42	£2,808+£150
Audi TT(2011)	85%	£1,958	£445	Grp 25-38	£2,808+£150
BMW X1(2011)	81%	£1,958	£445	Grp 30-42	£2,808+£150

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2011 BMW Z3

Is the 2011 BMW Z3 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of MOT tests on 2011 BMW Z3s ended in a pass, from 31 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2011 BMW Z3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,658 a year (£222 a month): £1,958 fuel, £445 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2011 BMW Z3?

90% of 31 MOT tests on the 2011 BMW Z3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 111th of 595 models first registered in 2011 (top 19%).

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% and the 1997 the lowest at 75%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2011 BMW Z3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2011 BMW Z3 is 39,105 miles, which is significantly below the expected 96,200 miles for a 13-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.