1999 BMW Z3 · 12,262 MOT tests
1999 BMW Z3 reliability
1999 BMW Z3s fail 31% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 6 Z3 years (12,262 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW Z3s: 31.3%)
- 31%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW Z3s: 31.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- 86,739
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 12,262
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1999 against the years either side
- 1998 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does better)
- 2000 cars: 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 4.3% of tests fail here (33% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 61% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1999 BMW Z3
Fail rate by area
- Brakes11.8%
- Lights and electrics10.8%
- Suspension10.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.3%
- Seat belts and airbags4.3%
- Body, chassis and structure3.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 2.75%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Position lamp not working 2.15%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 2.02%
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.96%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 1.89%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 1.83%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (14.26%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (6.92%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.82%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (6.6%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.25%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (4.56%)
Is a 1999 BMW Z3 reliable?
1999 BMW Z3s fail 31% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 6 Z3 years (12,262 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1999 BMW Z3 MOT?
Most often airbag warning lamp shows fault (2.75% of tests), position lamp not working (2.15% of tests), abs warning lamp shows a fault (2.02% of tests).
How many miles should a 1999 BMW Z3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 24, a typical 1999 BMW Z3 shows 86,739 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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