Introduction Very preterm birth is associated with lung function impairment later in life, but several aspects have not been studied. We aimed to comprehensively assess lung function at school age in very preterm infants and term controls, with special emphasis on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), sex and bronchodilator response. Methods At 12 years of age, 136 children born very preterm (85 with and 51 without BPD), and 56 children born at term performed spirometry, body plethysmography, impulse oscillometry, measurement of diffusion capacity and multiple breath washout, before and after bronchodilator inhalation. Results Airway symptoms and a diagnosis of asthma were more common in children born very preterm. These children had more airflow limitation, seen as lower FEV (pConclusion At 12 years of age, children born very preterm had lower lung function than children born at term in most aspects. Airway obstruction improved markedly after bronchodilator inhalation, and there was only little difference between children with or without BPD.