2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 BMW Z4 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,863 MOT tests in 2024. 80.9% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

126Well above average
Passed first time80.9%
Failed or needed repairs19.1%
Typical mileage at test62,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,863 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.6%
    73 marked dangerous
  2. Road Wheels - condition: fractured2.4%
    68 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.9%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
    33 marked dangerous
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.1%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.0%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.9%
    20 marked dangerous
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%
    23 marked dangerous
  10. Position lamp: not working0.8%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Tyres7.8%
  2. Lights & electrics6.2%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.3%
  4. Brakes3.2%
  5. Suspension3.0%
  6. Wheels2.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks1.0%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.1%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.8%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.7%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.0%
  5. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre2.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 BMW Z4?

In 2024, 80.9% of 2012 BMW Z4 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,863 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 BMW Z4?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; road wheels - condition: fractured; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2012 BMW Z4 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 126, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).