BMW Z3 MOT pass rate
74.8% of 25,056 BMW Z3 MOT tests pass.
The Z3 passes 74.8% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all BMW models (85.5%).
At 74.8%, The BMW Z3 passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this BMW Z3?
This is the average across every BMW Z3 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
How to check and keep your BMW’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 89.7% at 10–15 years to 74.8% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (8) | 8 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 89.7% | 39 | 36,731 miles |
| 15+ years | 74.8% | 25,007 | 86,129 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the BMW Z3
The most common reason the BMW Z3 fails its MOT is brakes — present in 49.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Excessively corroded".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 49.9% | Excessively corroded |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 47.0% | Not working |
| Suspension | 41.4% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 31.8% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Visibility | 20.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.9% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Tyres | 11.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 10.7% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 3.3% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Related BMW models
- BMW 3 SERIES — 82.6% pass rate
- BMW 1 SERIES — 83.7% pass rate
- BMW 5 SERIES — 85.0% pass rate
- BMW 2 SERIES — 89.3% pass rate
- BMW 4 SERIES — 88.9% pass rate
- BMW X5 — 86.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW Z3?
- 74.8% of BMW Z3 MOT tests pass, based on 25,056 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the BMW Z3?
- The most common reason the BMW Z3 fails its MOT is brakes — present in 49.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Excessively corroded".
- Does this show the BMW Z3's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the BMW service history guide for how to check and keep one.