2012 BMW Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,982 MOT tests, the 2012 BMW Z4 recorded an 85.8% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 16.2% of the time, so this is 2.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.4%) and lighting & signalling (4.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 206 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.6% once past 150k — 2.6× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.4% | 703 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.1% | 455 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.9% | 315 |
| 4 | Road wheels | 2.5% | 269 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.8% | 197 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.7% | 188 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 206 |
| 2 | Wipers | 201 |
| 3 | Washers | 167 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 159 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 133 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 113 |
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 | 22.5% | 2,472 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.4% | 1,801 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.6% | 509 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.1% | 342 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 336 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 259 |
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 | 1,181 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 4,574 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 3,909 | 16.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,124 | 18.6% |
| 120-150k | 160 | 16.9% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 20.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 10,947 | 14.2% |
| Diesel | 35 | 11.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,246 | 13.2% |
| 2022 | 2,217 | 13.0% |
| 2023 | 2,214 | 14.9% |
| 2024 | 2,187 | 14.9% |
| 2025 | 2,118 | 14.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Z4
On a 2012 Z4, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.4% 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 (4.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2012 BMW Z4s pass their MOT?
85.8% of the 10,982 2012 BMW Z4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 BMW Z4?
Tyres, recorded in 6.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.1%).
Does the 2012 Z4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 20.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,982 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.