2016 BMW Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2016 BMW Z4 passed 87.4% of its 7,022 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.8 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 10.8%. Failures cluster in tyres, road wheels and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 7.3% of all tests — 4.6 points clear of road wheels, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, washers and tread depth — coil spring alone was recorded 117 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.1% in the 0-30k band and 19.4% in the 90-120k band, a 10.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.3% | 516 |
| 2 | Road wheels | 2.8% | 196 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.9% | 134 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 127 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 108 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.0% | 68 |
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 | 117 |
| 2 | Washers | 77 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 76 |
| 4 | Wipers | 75 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 68 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 35 |
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 | 21.5% | 1,512 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.8% | 828 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.0% | 212 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.6% | 182 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.1% | 147 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 95 |
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 | 3,029 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 3,198 | 14.7% |
| 60-90k | 708 | 17.2% |
| 90-120k | 62 | 19.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,428 | 11.6% |
| 2022 | 1,397 | 11.4% |
| 2023 | 1,415 | 13.2% |
| 2024 | 1,379 | 13.1% |
| 2025 | 1,403 | 13.8% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Z4
On a 2016 Z4, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (7.3% 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.
- Road wheels (2.8% of tests): Damaged or corroded wheels, missing/loose fixings — generally a moderate fix. Typical repair: £80–£250.
- Suspension (1.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2016 BMW Z4s pass their MOT?
87.4% of the 7,022 2016 BMW Z4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 BMW Z4?
Tyres, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by road wheels (2.8%).
Does the 2016 Z4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 19.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,022 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.