2014 BMW Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,062 MOT tests, the 2014 BMW Z4 recorded an 87.3% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail at 13.2%, so the 2014 Z4 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and road wheels.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.3% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, washers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 195 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.7% in the 0-30k band and 20.0% in the 120-150k band, a 11.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.3% | 695 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.6% | 285 |
| 3 | Road wheels | 2.5% | 281 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.9% | 213 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 212 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.6% | 178 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 195 |
| 2 | Washers | 178 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 163 |
| 4 | Wipers | 146 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 136 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 116 |
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 | 21.3% | 2,362 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.1% | 1,675 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.8% | 424 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.2% | 355 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 308 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 261 |
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 | 2,232 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 5,744 | 12.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,575 | 16.2% |
| 90-120k | 423 | 19.6% |
| 120-150k | 70 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,262 | 12.4% |
| 2022 | 2,229 | 12.1% |
| 2023 | 2,201 | 11.6% |
| 2024 | 2,188 | 13.5% |
| 2025 | 2,182 | 13.8% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Z4
On a 2014 Z4, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.3% 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.
- Visibility (2.6% 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.
- Road wheels (2.5% 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 2014 BMW Z4s pass their MOT?
87.3% of the 11,062 2014 BMW Z4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 BMW Z4?
Tyres, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by visibility (2.6%).
Does the 2014 Z4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,062 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.