How much does a 2004 BMW Z4 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 BMW Z4?

The 2004 BMW Z4 has a 81% MOT pass rate based on 6,308 tests in 2026. This ranks 110 out of 491 cars from 2004.

Which year BMW Z4 is most reliable?

The 2022 BMW Z4 has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%. The least reliable year is 2005 at 78%.

BMW Z4 (2004)

Q: Is the 2004 BMW Z4 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 81% of BMW Z4s from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 6,308 tests. That's 1 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2004 BMW Z4?

The average mileage for a 2004 BMW Z4 is 95,043 miles, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 6,308 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1995cc22 years old6,308 tests95k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1995cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1995cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,047

Per month£171/mo

Per week£39/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

81% 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 22 years old, 81% of BMW Z4s from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 6,308 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 95,043 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars110th of 491(top 22%)

Rank among BMW models1303th of 1,564(top 83%)

vs national average-1%(82% avg)

vs 2004 cars average+9%(72% avg)

vs BMW average-7%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

95,043

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 BMW Z4 has 95,043 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 78%. The 2004 sits between the two at 81%.

BMW Z4 by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FOCUS

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-8%

MINI MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

-10%

BMW 3 SERIES

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-1%

RENAULT CLIO

2006 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,217/year

68%

-13%

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About the 2004 BMW Z4

The 2004 BMW Z4 is a premium with a 1995cc petrol engine. 6,308 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 22% of all 2004 cars for reliability.

With an average of 95,043 miles at 22 years old, BMW Z4 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 BMW Z4 Fuel Costs

The 1995cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 BMW Z4?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW Z4 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW Z4s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 BMW Z4

At 22 years old, the BMW Z4 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 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 97%. With 6,308 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 BMW Z4's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 22 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.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 95k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 2004 BMW Z4 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW Z4(2004)	81%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2047
FORD FOCUS(2006)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
MINI MINI(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
BMW 3 SERIES(2006)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£180
RENAULT CLIO(2006)	68%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2217+£170

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.