2002 BMW Z3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,788 MOT tests, the 2002 BMW Z3 recorded a 79.7% pass rate. That is 2.3 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.2%) and brakes (9.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, headlamp aim and position lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 294 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.9% in the 0-30k band and 33.5% in the 150k+ band, a 23.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.5% in 2021 to 18.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 691 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.6% | 649 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.2% | 488 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.6% | 382 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 225 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.0% | 203 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 294 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 290 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 285 |
| 4 | Washers | 247 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 196 |
| 6 | Wipers | 189 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.0% | 2,306 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.5% | 1,868 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.4% | 1,250 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 11.8% | 800 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 704 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.5% | 580 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 395 | 9.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,559 | 12.7% |
| 60-90k | 2,334 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,749 | 26.1% |
| 120-150k | 575 | 27.8% |
| 150k+ | 164 | 33.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,522 | 22.5% |
| 2022 | 1,413 | 20.5% |
| 2023 | 1,365 | 19.8% |
| 2024 | 1,265 | 19.3% |
| 2025 | 1,223 | 18.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Z3
On a 2002 Z3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (7.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 BMW Z3s pass their MOT?
79.7% of the 6,788 2002 BMW Z3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 BMW Z3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by brakes (9.6%).
Does the 2002 Z3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.9% in the 0-30k band to 33.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,788 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.