2015 BMW Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2015 BMW Z4 passed 87.8% of its 9,087 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (11.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, road wheels and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.7% of tests against 2.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and washers — tread depth alone was recorded 150 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.5% in the 0-30k band and 14.2% in the 90-120k band, a 6.7-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 11.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.7% | 607 |
| 2 | Road wheels | 2.4% | 214 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.9% | 174 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.7% | 158 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 158 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.3% | 122 |
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 | 150 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 116 |
| 3 | Washers | 110 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 106 |
| 5 | Wipers | 95 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 75 |
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 | 20.9% | 1,904 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.9% | 1,175 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.8% | 257 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.5% | 227 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 213 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 167 |
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 | 2,650 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 4,739 | 13.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,423 | 16.4% |
| 90-120k | 239 | 14.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,856 | 11.9% |
| 2022 | 1,816 | 11.3% |
| 2023 | 1,792 | 11.2% |
| 2024 | 1,794 | 12.2% |
| 2025 | 1,829 | 14.3% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Z4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.7% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.7% 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.
- Road wheels (2.4% of tests): Damaged or corroded wheels, missing/loose fixings — generally a moderate fix. Typical repair: £80–£250.
- Visibility (1.9% 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 2015 BMW Z4s pass their MOT?
87.8% of the 9,087 2015 BMW Z4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 BMW Z4?
Tyres, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by road wheels (2.4%).
Does the 2015 Z4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 14.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,087 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.