2010 BMW Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
11,530 MOT tests on the 2010 BMW Z4 are in this dataset, and 85.3% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (19.2% fail rate), the 2010 Z4 comes out 4.5pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.0%) and suspension (4.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, wipers and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 387 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.0% once past 150k — 2.8× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.0% | 576 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.7% | 537 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 453 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 360 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 2.1% | 242 |
| 6 | Brakes | 2.1% | 239 |
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 | 387 |
| 2 | Wipers | 271 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 212 |
| 4 | Washers | 170 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 166 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 125 |
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 | 20.6% | 2,376 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.0% | 1,848 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.0% | 927 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 538 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 456 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.0% | 349 |
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 | 953 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 3,876 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 4,435 | 15.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,673 | 18.6% |
| 120-150k | 453 | 20.8% |
| 150k+ | 140 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,339 | 14.5% |
| 2022 | 2,322 | 13.8% |
| 2023 | 2,349 | 15.4% |
| 2024 | 2,276 | 15.0% |
| 2025 | 2,244 | 15.0% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Z4
On a 2010 Z4, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.0% 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.
- Suspension (4.7% 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 (3.9% 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 2010 BMW Z4s pass their MOT?
85.3% of the 11,530 2010 BMW Z4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 BMW Z4?
Tyres, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by suspension (4.7%).
Does the 2010 Z4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,530 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.