2017 BMW Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
823 MOT tests on the 2017 BMW Z4 are in this dataset, and 87.1% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 9.8% of the time, so this is 3.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, road wheels and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 8.9% of tests against 2.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are washers, headlamp aim and stop lamp — washers alone was recorded 13 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.8% once past 60-90k — 2.2× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 8.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.9% | 73 |
| 2 | Road wheels | 2.9% | 24 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 17 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 13 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 7 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.7% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 13 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 6 |
| 4 | Size/type | 5 |
| 5 | Wipers | 5 |
| 6 | Attachment | 5 |
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 | 20.4% | 168 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.8% | 105 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.5% | 29 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 23 |
| 5 | Other defects | 2.5% | 21 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 10 |
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 | 398 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 327 | 16.2% |
| 60-90k | 85 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 164 | 8.5% |
| 2022 | 167 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 165 | 13.3% |
| 2024 | 159 | 11.3% |
| 2025 | 168 | 14.9% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Z4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 8.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (8.9% 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 (2.9% of tests): Damaged or corroded wheels, missing/loose fixings — generally a moderate fix. Typical repair: £80–£250.
- Lighting & signalling (2.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2017 BMW Z4s pass their MOT?
87.1% of the 823 2017 BMW Z4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 BMW Z4?
Tyres, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by road wheels (2.9%).
Does the 2017 Z4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 823 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.