CarCostCheck

BMW Z4 (2011)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 4,148 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,045

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2497cc Diesel

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £2045/year to run. 6 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific BMW Z4

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Diesel2497cc15 years old4,148 tests66k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2497cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2497cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,045
Per month£170/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.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this BMW Z4

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

88% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

At 15 years old, 88% of BMW Z4s from 2011 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 4,148 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 66,482 miles.

Got a BMW Z4 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2011 cars133th of 615(top 22%)
Rank among BMW models895th of 1,564(top 57%)
vs national average+6%(82% avg)
vs 2011 cars average+11%(77% avg)
vs BMW average+0%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

66,482

Average miles

vs

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2011 BMW Z4 has 66,482 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific BMW Z4?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

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 2011 sits between the two at 88%.

BMW Z4 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202297%19016,859 mi
202195%3,19318,645 mi
202094%4,50722,507 mi
201993%5,47626,551 mi
201792%28136,527 mi
201688%2,55941,764 mi
201590%3,40347,388 mi
201489%3,83752,736 mi
201388%3,36958,294 mi
201287%4,09465,038 mi
201188%4,14866,482 mi
201087%3,91772,537 mi
200987%5,34175,050 mi
200881%3,80380,859 mi
200783%6,50887,843 mi
200681%6,61789,752 mi
200578%4,52396,092 mi
200481%6,30895,043 mi
200379%5,31098,016 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Bmw Z4

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2011 BMW Z4

The 2011 BMW Z4 is a premium with a 2497cc diesel engine. 4,148 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 2011 cars for reliability.

With an average of 66,482 miles at 15 years old, BMW Z4 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2011 BMW Z4 Fuel Costs

The 2497cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2011 BMW Z4?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,045 170/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% 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 2011 BMW Z4

At 15 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%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2011 BMW Z4's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
BMW Z4(2011)88%£1245£395Grp 25-38£2045
BMW 3 SERIES(2012)82%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1577-£468
FORD TRANSIT(2013)74%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£5
HONDA CIVIC(2009)74%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£5
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER EVOQUE(2012)85%£1245£250Grp 25-38£1900-£145

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.

Related Bmw Models

Explore other Bmw cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Bmw Z4.

Check a specific BMW Z4

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a BMW Z4? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB