2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 BMW Z4 MOT pass rate and common faults

2,472 MOT tests in 2024. 79.5% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

136Well above average
Passed first time79.5%
Failed or needed repairs20.5%
Typical mileage at test72,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,472 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
    78 marked dangerous
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.7%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
    62 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
  7. Position lamp: not working0.9%
  8. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.8%
  9. Road Wheels - condition: fractured0.8%
    28 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics6.7%
  2. Tyres5.7%
  3. Suspension5.6%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.8%
  5. Emissions & leaks3.8%
  6. Brakes3.7%
  7. Wheels1.3%
  8. Body & chassis0.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.6%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.4%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.8%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine6.4%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.8%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2008 Z4All Z4 years2010 Z4 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 BMW Z4?

In 2024, 79.5% of 2009 BMW Z4 cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,472 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 BMW Z4?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 BMW Z4 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 136, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).