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MOT reliability

Bmw Z3

26,683 vehicles · 500,362 completed MOT tests analysed
73%
MOT pass rate

Based on 26,683 Bmw Z3 vehicles and 500,362 completed MOT tests, the Bmw Z3 has an overall 73% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 98,053 miles.

26,683
Vehicles
500,362
MOT tests
3,375
Avg miles / year
2.3
Faults per test
1%
Dangerous-fault share

Bmw Z3 problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Bmw Z3 MOT tests:

  • Other73%
  • Tyres, wheels & suspension14%
  • Brakes12%
  • Emissions & nuisance4%
  • Lamps & electrical3%
  • Steering3%
  • Seatbelts & equipment2%
  • Body & structure2%

Bmw Z3 pass rate by age

How the Bmw Z3's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)TestsPass rate
11182%
22580%
358786%
43,11187%
57,02785%
612,21382%
719,04080%
825,83978%
930,56376%
1030,88474%
1130,73272%
1230,20671%
1329,82071%
1429,06470%
1528,25270%
1627,16570%
1725,61071%
1824,28471%
1922,40671%
2020,89672%

Fuel types: Petrol (26,467), Other (192), Diesel (16), LPG (5), Electric (2), Gas (1)

Most common Bmw Z3 MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Bmw Z3 MOT tests:

  1. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (20,034 times)
  2. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (18,793 times)
  3. Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (17,582 times)
  4. Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (16,379 times)
  5. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (13,326 times)
  6. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i)) (11,736 times)
  7. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (11,125 times)
  8. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (10,652 times)
  9. Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c)) (9,078 times)
  10. Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c)) (8,575 times)
  11. Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3) (8,102 times)
  12. Oil leak (7,946 times)
  13. Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (7,668 times)
  14. Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3) (7,257 times)
  15. Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (6,975 times)

Bmw Z3 pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2022 1 2 50% 105,548
2020 1 1 100% 66,285
2019 1 1 100% 21,083
2017 1 2 50% 103,867
2016 2 8 75% 96,979
2015 1 15 80% 143,232
2012 10 65 94% 13,187
2011 23 242 89% 47,662
2010 2 28 79% 89,358
2009 1 1 100% 48,509
2008 2 23 78% 49,372
2007 4 46 80% 81,494
2006 2 29 69% 109,560
2005 7 61 79% 76,295
2004 10 147 76% 80,392
2003 133 2,753 80% 79,447
2002 1,851 38,460 77% 87,747
2001 3,360 68,013 76% 91,708
2000 3,918 78,378 74% 95,772
1999 5,822 115,622 73% 99,916
1998 5,782 110,334 72% 98,342
1997 4,630 84,291 71% 107,659
1996 77 428 70% 101,837
1995 4 20 70% 79,481
1991 1 16 62% 27,280
1990 1 2 50% 137,223
1984 1 20 65% 157,796
1971 1 2 100% 76,224

Bmw Z3 reliability FAQ

Across 26,683 Bmw Z3 vehicles in our MOT data, 73% pass the MOT (a 27% failure rate), with about 2.3 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Bmw Z3 MOT issues are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1); Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1); Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c).

The typical Bmw Z3 in our data has covered around 98,053 miles.

Compare the Bmw Z3

See how the Bmw Z3 stacks up against other Bmw models on MOT reliability:

Z3 vs 3 series Z3 vs 118 Z3 vs 316 Z3 vs 520

Check a specific Bmw Z3

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Bmw models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks