BMW Z4

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 19 model years from 77,384 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

87%

Total Tests

77,384

Highest Pass Rate

2021 (95%)

Years Covered

About the BMW Z4

The BMW Z4 was MOT tested 77,384 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 19 model years (2003 to 2022), with an average pass rate of 87%. That's slightly above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol and diesel versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 95% from 3,193 tests. The 2005 model has the lowest at 78%. With a 17 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW Z4s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 8 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2003) averages 98,016 miles, while the newest (2022) averages 16,859 miles.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

£1,631

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,086

Per month£174/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 2022 details

How reliable is the BMW Z4?

vs average of all models+5% (82% avg)

vs BMW brand average-1% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread17 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

BMW Z4 by Year

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

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	97%	190	16,859 mi
2021	95%	3,193	18,645 mi
2020	94%	4,507	22,507 mi
2019	93%	5,476	26,551 mi
2017	92%	281	36,527 mi
2016	88%	2,559	41,764 mi
2015	90%	3,403	47,388 mi
2014	89%	3,837	52,736 mi
2013	88%	3,369	58,294 mi
2012	87%	4,094	65,038 mi
2011	88%	4,148	66,482 mi
2010	87%	3,917	72,537 mi
2009	87%	5,341	75,050 mi
2008	81%	3,803	80,859 mi
2007	83%	6,508	87,843 mi
2006	81%	6,617	89,752 mi
2005	78%	4,523	96,092 mi
2004	81%	6,308	95,043 mi
2003	79%	5,310	98,016 mi

Questions about the BMW Z4

Is the BMW Z4 reliable?

Across its 19 model years in our data (2003 to 2022), the BMW Z4 averages an 87% MOT pass rate, from 77,384 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2021 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 95%.

Which year BMW Z4 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 BMW Z4 has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 78%, a 17 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.