MOT failure data · 2025
BMW Z4 MOT problems
Across every BMW Z4 that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was condition has ply or cords exposed, on 5.99% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 19.73%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common BMW Z4 MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Condition has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 5.99% |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes excessively corroded | Brakes | 4.49% |
| 3 | Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 4.49% |
| 4 | Coil spring fractured or broken | Suspension | 4.23% |
| 5 | Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 3.92% |
| 6 | Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 3.79% |
| 7 | Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.59% |
| 8 | Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively | Visibility | 3.4% |
| 9 | Condition fractured | Road Wheels | 3.27% |
| 10 | Ball joint ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 3.23% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a BMW Z4, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used BMW Z4 buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific BMW Z4?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other BMW models
- BMW 3 Series MOT problems
- BMW 118 MOT problems
- BMW X1 MOT problems
- BMW X3 MOT problems
- BMW 116 MOT problems
- BMW X5 MOT problems
BMW Z4 MOT FAQs
What does a BMW Z4 most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on BMW Z4 cars failing their 2025 MOT was "condition has ply or cords exposed", appearing on 5.99% of failure items.
Does this mean my BMW Z4 will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every BMW Z4 that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The BMW Z4 passed 80.98% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific BMW Z4's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: BMW Z4 MOT pass rate · used BMW Z4 buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.