2004 BMW Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
19,881 MOT tests on the 2004 BMW Z4 are in this dataset, and 77.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (22.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (10.0%) and brakes (8.8%) 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 srs malfunction indicator lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 1,238 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 29.4% versus 8.5%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.5% in 2021 to 21.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
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
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 10.0% of tests. Start there.
- 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 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.