2011 BMW Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,389 MOT tests, the 2011 BMW Z4 recorded an 86.0% pass rate. That is 3.9 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 17.8%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and road wheels.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.5%) and lighting & signalling (3.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and washers — wipers alone was recorded 185 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.4% in the 0-30k band and 16.3% in the 150k+ band, a 7.0-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.5% | 631 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 423 |
| 3 | Road wheels | 2.9% | 325 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 286 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.4% | 268 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.7% | 192 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 185 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 168 |
| 3 | Washers | 156 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 156 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 128 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 103 |
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% | 2,345 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.5% | 1,765 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.3% | 723 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 352 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 312 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.3% | 267 |
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 | 949 | 9.4% |
| 30-60k | 4,823 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 4,072 | 14.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,205 | 18.3% |
| 120-150k | 290 | 21.4% |
| 150k+ | 49 | 16.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,298 | 13.1% |
| 2022 | 2,297 | 14.1% |
| 2023 | 2,279 | 14.1% |
| 2024 | 2,264 | 14.1% |
| 2025 | 2,251 | 14.4% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Z4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Road wheels (2.9% of tests): Damaged or corroded wheels, missing/loose fixings — generally a moderate fix. Typical repair: £80–£250.
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 2011 BMW Z4s pass their MOT?
86.0% of the 11,389 2011 BMW Z4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 BMW Z4?
Tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.7%).
Does the 2011 Z4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 0-30k band to 16.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,389 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.