Does the BMW Z3 fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The BMW Z3 records 22.69 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 35.97 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−13.28, 95% interval −13.70 to −12.87). It ranks 660 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a BMW Z3 by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the BMW Z3 is “The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements”, recorded 2,956 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 2,956 | 3.69 |
| Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 2,493 | 3.11 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 2,439 | 3.04 |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 1,814 | 2.26 |
| Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements | 1,463 | 1.83 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 80,101 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a BMW Z3 gets a lamps, reflectors and electrics advisory, how often does it fail next time?
24.6% of BMW Z3 MOTs with a lamps, reflectors and electrics advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.2 months and 1,238 miles later (2,494 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 2,494 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
BMW Z3 1998 · BMW Z3 1999 · BMW Z3 2000 · BMW Z3 2001 · BMW Z3 2002 · BMW Z3 2003 · BMW Z3 in the Netherlands · BMW Z3 by postcode area · BMW Z3 body, chassis and structure failures · BMW Z3 brakes failures · BMW Z3 vehicle identification failures · BMW Z3 noise, emissions and leaks failures · BMW Z3 road wheels failures · BMW Z3 seat belts and airbags failures · BMW Z3 steering failures · BMW Z3 suspension failures · BMW Z3 tyres failures · BMW Z3 visibility failures