BMW 6 Series: what fails at MOT
44,000 MOT tests on the BMW 6 Series in 2024, counted. 16.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
16.7% of BMW 6 Series tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 29.2%, so the 6 Series does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3.8% of tests), suspension (2.6% of tests) and lights and electrics (2.1% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 587 | 9.5% | 11.5% | 36,500 29,500 to 46,700 |
| 2019 | 1,950 | 10.3% | 13.4% | 46,800 34,100 to 62,700 |
| 2018 | 4,566 | 11.0% | 15.6% | 51,800 39,900 to 65,600 |
| 2017 | 2,716 | 14.9% | 18.2% | 52,900 41,000 to 69,800 |
| 2016 | 3,759 | 13.2% | 21.3% | 63,600 47,400 to 79,700 |
| 2015 | 4,212 | 12.8% | 24.4% | 72,800 57,000 to 92,300 |
| 2014 | 4,135 | 14.4% | 27.7% | 81,400 62,100 to 101,500 |
| 2013 | 4,363 | 17.9% | 30.6% | 91,100 71,400 to 110,300 |
| 2012 | 3,344 | 16.8% | 33.4% | 93,000 75,300 to 113,400 |
| 2011 | 1,371 | 17.4% | 36.1% | 77,500 58,600 to 101,200 |
| 2010 | 965 | 19.0% | 38.6% | 108,000 89,000 to 131,900 |
| 2009 | 1,088 | 16.8% | 39.8% | 116,700 90,500 to 138,400 |
| 2008 | 1,935 | 22.6% | 41.5% | 115,000 90,000 to 143,100 |
| 2007 | 2,293 | 21.2% | 41.5% | 109,500 87,600 to 136,000 |
| 2006 | 2,526 | 26.0% | 42.4% | 110,000 86,900 to 133,500 |
| 2005 | 2,244 | 26.3% | 42.2% | 107,800 84,900 to 132,000 |
| 2004 | 1,928 | 23.3% | 42.3% | 106,300 82,200 to 127,500 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of BMW 6 Series tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 6 Series | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.8% | 4.4% |
| Suspension Less than most | 2.6% | 6.7% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 2.1% | 8.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.3% | 3.2% |
| Brakes Less than most | 1.2% | 5.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 0.8% | 2.4% |
| Wheels | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Steering Less than most | 0.5% | 1.5% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.4%
- Coil spring1.3%
- Tyre tread0.8%
- Washers0.7%
- Headlamp aim0.6%
- Ball joint0.5%
- Side light0.5%
- Engine warning light0.5%
- Headlamp0.5%
- Wipers0.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.3%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.1%
- Tyre: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.9%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.7%
- Ball joint: excessively worn0.5%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.5%
- Side light: not working0.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.5%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.4%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge7.7%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.1%
- Brake pads: wearing thin2.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing1.7%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material1.6%
- Ball joint: has slight play1.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a BMW 6 Series's own MOT record
Looking at a 6 Series? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.