2004 Bmw Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 19,881 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Bmw Z4, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 77.8% was in line with the average for coupes & convertibles of a similar age (76.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.4% in the 150k+ group versus 8.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.0% | 1,987 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.8% | 1,745 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 1,670 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.6% | 917 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.3% | 852 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.2% | 828 |
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 | 1,238 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,080 |
| 3 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 820 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 715 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 665 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 642 |
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 | 36.6% | 7,284 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.7% | 5,503 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.0% | 4,367 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 13.2% | 2,626 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 2,471 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.6% | 1,304 |
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 | 515 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 2,606 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 5,884 | 20.1% |
| 90-120k | 6,610 | 24.3% |
| 120-150k | 3,109 | 26.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,138 | 29.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,397 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 4,217 | 22.3% |
| 2023 | 4,060 | 22.0% |
| 2024 | 3,721 | 21.3% |
| 2025 | 3,486 | 21.7% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Z4
Before buying a 2004 Bmw Z4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 10.0% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (10.0% 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.
- Brakes (8.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2004 Bmw Z4s pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 19,881 2004 Bmw Z4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Bmw Z4?
Suspension, recorded in 10.0% of tests, followed by brakes (8.8%).
Does the 2004 Z4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 29.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,881 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.