2002 BMW Z3 MOT pass rate: 77.3% (3,192 tests)
Is the 2002 Z3 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2002-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 76.5% +11.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 77.6% +12.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 77.9% +11.1 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2002 Z3
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 557 | 26.9% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 449 | 21.7% |
| 3 | Suspension | 373 | 18.0% |
| 4 | Visibility | 187 | 9.0% |
| 5 | Tyres | 137 | 6.6% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 127 | 6.1% |
All Z3 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 5,302 | 75.7% | +9.0 pts | 79,803 |
| 2002 (this page) | 3,192 | 77.3% | +11.6 pts | 77,210 |
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FAQs
Is a 2002 BMW Z3 reliable?
2002-registered examples passed 77.3% of their MOT tests (3,192 tests, 2023–2025), +11.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 24 years old with a median 77,210 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2002 Z3?
The median tested example shows 77,210 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.