MOT Risk Index.co.uk

Does the BMW Z4 fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?

The BMW Z4 records 11.36 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 22.37 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−11.01, 95% interval −11.21 to −10.80). It ranks 609 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a BMW Z4 by registration

What exactly fails on suspension?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the BMW Z4 is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 9,431 times in 2019–2024.

BMW Z4: most frequent suspension defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wordingItemsPer 100 tests
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn9,4314.58
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened4,4282.15
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc2,8431.38
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage2,4691.20
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated2,0260.98

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 205,790 (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 Z4 gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?

17.2% of BMW Z4 MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 2,986 miles later (18,915 advisories followed).

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 18,915 (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 Z4 2003 · BMW Z4 2004 · BMW Z4 2005 · BMW Z4 2006 · BMW Z4 2007 · BMW Z4 2008 · BMW Z4 2009 · BMW Z4 2010 · BMW Z4 2011 · BMW Z4 2012 · BMW Z4 2013 · BMW Z4 2014 · BMW Z4 2015 · BMW Z4 2016 · BMW Z4 2017 · BMW Z4 2019 · BMW Z4 2020 · BMW Z4 in Finland · BMW Z4 in the Netherlands · BMW Z4 by postcode area · BMW Z4 body, chassis and structure failures · BMW Z4 brakes failures · BMW Z4 vehicle identification failures · BMW Z4 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · BMW Z4 noise, emissions and leaks failures · BMW Z4 road wheels failures · BMW Z4 seat belts and airbags failures · BMW Z4 steering failures · BMW Z4 tyres failures · BMW Z4 visibility failures