2007 BMW Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 19,688 MOT tests, the 2007 BMW Z4 recorded an 80.6% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 21.6% of the time, so this is 2.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.6%) and brakes (7.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, malfunction indicator lamp and pins and bushes — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 821 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 24.5% versus 8.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.6% | 1,502 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.0% | 1,387 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 1,313 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 812 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.0% | 792 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.5% | 690 |
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 | 821 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 597 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 566 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 515 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 471 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 452 |
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 | 29.4% | 5,780 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.7% | 4,067 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.9% | 3,920 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 2,201 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 1,390 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 919 |
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 | 614 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 3,839 | 14.4% |
| 60-90k | 7,042 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 5,667 | 22.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,977 | 23.5% |
| 150k+ | 527 | 24.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,206 | 19.8% |
| 2022 | 4,068 | 18.8% |
| 2023 | 3,962 | 19.3% |
| 2024 | 3,755 | 19.8% |
| 2025 | 3,697 | 19.2% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Z4
On a 2007 Z4, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (7.6% 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 (7.0% 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 (6.7% 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 2007 BMW Z4s pass their MOT?
80.6% of the 19,688 2007 BMW Z4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 BMW Z4?
Suspension, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by brakes (7.0%).
Does the 2007 Z4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 24.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,688 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.