Skip to main content

Bmw Z3 - 1998

296.7 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1998 is 342.9 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Bmw Z3, model year 1998. Sample size: 2,752 cars, 5,711 tests and 16,945 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 2,752 cars

The 1998 BMW Z3 has an overall defect rate of 297 defects per 100 vehicles, which is 12.5% lower than the average for cars of the same year. This model performs significantly better than average in several categories, including steering, where it has half the defect rate compared to the average, and body structure, with nearly half as many issues. Additionally, the Z3 shows a notable increase in defect rates with mileage, particularly in the 124,000+ mile range, where it reaches 539 defects per 100 vehicles. In terms of lights and electrics, the Z3 has fewer defects than the average, although it is still a common issue across vehicles.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 2,752 cars

More model years for Bmw Z3

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Other models from Bmw

Bmw 114 Bmw 116 Bmw 118 Bmw 120 Bmw 123 Bmw 125 Bmw 216 Bmw 218 Bmw 220 Bmw 316 Bmw 318 Bmw 320 Bmw 330 Bmw 335 Bmw 418 Bmw 420 Bmw 428 Bmw 430 Bmw 435 Bmw 440 Bmw 518 Bmw 520 Bmw 523 Bmw 525 Bmw 528 Bmw 530 Bmw 535 Bmw 630 Bmw 640 Bmw 645 Bmw 650 Bmw 728 Bmw 730 Bmw 740 Bmw 840 Bmw ALPINA Bmw I3 Bmw I4 Bmw IX3 Bmw M2 Bmw M3 Bmw M340D Bmw M4 Bmw M5 Bmw M6 Bmw X1 Bmw X2 Bmw X3 Bmw X4 Bmw X5 Bmw X6 Bmw X7 Bmw Z3 Bmw Z4

Categories

Brakes
▼ 18.1% worse
176.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 149.4 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
Steering
▲ 51.6% better
12.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.6 / 100 tests
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • Power steering pipe, hose or wiring: excessively damaged or corroded
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
Visibility
▲ 20.5% better
20.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.3 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 20.5% better
53.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 66.7 / 100 tests
  • Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 11.4% better
228.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 257.8 / 100 tests
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 52.4% better
38.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 80.5 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▲ 51.0% better
10.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 20.4 / 100 tests
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Other
▲ 8.1% better
54.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 59.0 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
  • Emissions test unable to be completed
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 543 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,888
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,330
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 942
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 885
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 814
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 780
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 771
Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 567
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 512
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 446

Serious faults (Top 10)

Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 317
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 263
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 179
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 177
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 152
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 131
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 125
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 125
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 121
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 109