2019 BMW Z4 — MOT failures & pass rate
9,014 MOT tests on the 2019 BMW Z4 are in this dataset, and 91.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (8.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.6% of tests against 1.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and registration plates — headlamp aim alone was recorded 132 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.9% in the 0-30k band and 15.2% in the 60-90k band, a 7.3-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 3.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.6% | 595 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 128 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.8% | 69 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.5% | 43 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 42 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 132 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 84 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 74 |
| 4 | Washers | 39 |
| 5 | Wipers | 33 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 22 |
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 | 18.7% | 1,688 |
| 2 | Other defects | 3.6% | 324 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.7% | 157 |
| 4 | Road wheels | 1.6% | 142 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.3% | 118 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.2% | 110 |
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 | 6,794 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,058 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 145 | 15.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 153 | 3.3% |
| 2022 | 2,280 | 8.0% |
| 2023 | 2,240 | 8.0% |
| 2024 | 2,156 | 8.8% |
| 2025 | 2,185 | 8.9% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Z4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.6% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.6% 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 (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (0.8% 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 2019 BMW Z4s pass their MOT?
91.7% of the 9,014 2019 BMW Z4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 BMW Z4?
Tyres, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.4%).
Does the 2019 Z4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 15.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,014 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.