2013 BMW Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 BMW Z4 passed 86.0% of its 9,181 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (14.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and road wheels.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.5% of tests against 2.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and wipers — coil spring alone was recorded 192 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 20.0% versus 7.8%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.5% | 593 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 269 |
| 3 | Road wheels | 2.9% | 266 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.7% | 247 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 228 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.7% | 158 |
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 | 192 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 170 |
| 3 | Wipers | 132 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 123 |
| 5 | Washers | 122 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 95 |
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% | 2,068 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.1% | 1,481 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.8% | 444 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.1% | 282 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 270 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 133 |
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 | 1,291 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 4,518 | 13.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,661 | 16.6% |
| 90-120k | 604 | 17.5% |
| 120-150k | 85 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,858 | 12.6% |
| 2022 | 1,833 | 12.8% |
| 2023 | 1,870 | 15.1% |
| 2024 | 1,798 | 14.5% |
| 2025 | 1,822 | 15.0% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Z4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.5% 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 (2.9% 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 2013 BMW Z4s pass their MOT?
86.0% of the 9,181 2013 BMW Z4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 BMW Z4?
Tyres, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.9%).
Does the 2013 Z4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,181 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.