2009 BMW Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 BMW Z4 passed 85.4% of its 14,539 recorded MOT tests. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (20.3% fail rate), the 2009 Z4 comes out 5.7pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (4.8%) and lighting & signalling (4.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and wipers — coil spring alone was recorded 475 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.7% in the 0-30k band and 20.7% in the 150k+ band, a 14.1-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 4.8% | 696 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 643 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.3% | 621 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 474 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.6% | 372 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 312 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 475 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 313 |
| 3 | Wipers | 280 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 266 |
| 5 | Washers | 260 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 209 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.3% | 2,954 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.6% | 2,414 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.4% | 1,370 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 840 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 497 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.4% | 487 |
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 | 931 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 4,389 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 5,535 | 15.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,800 | 17.5% |
| 120-150k | 696 | 18.7% |
| 150k+ | 188 | 20.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,991 | 14.2% |
| 2022 | 2,964 | 14.8% |
| 2023 | 2,916 | 14.5% |
| 2024 | 2,884 | 14.8% |
| 2025 | 2,784 | 14.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Z4
On a 2009 Z4, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (4.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2009 BMW Z4s pass their MOT?
85.4% of the 14,539 2009 BMW Z4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 BMW Z4?
Suspension, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.4%).
Does the 2009 Z4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 20.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,539 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.