BMW X6: what fails at MOT
35,000 MOT tests on the BMW X6 in 2024, counted. 13.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
13.5% of BMW X6 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 23.6%, so the X6 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3% of tests), lights and electrics (1.7% of tests) and suspension (1.7% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,450 | 12.3% | 10.9% | 28,100 21,200 to 36,400 |
| 2020 | 3,011 | 9.5% | 11.5% | 32,900 25,800 to 44,500 |
| 2019 | 1,519 | 13.0% | 13.4% | 43,300 34,000 to 57,500 |
| 2018 | 4,767 | 10.9% | 15.6% | 51,400 40,200 to 65,100 |
| 2017 | 3,242 | 9.8% | 18.2% | 62,400 48,400 to 77,400 |
| 2016 | 3,923 | 9.7% | 21.3% | 68,500 54,200 to 83,500 |
| 2015 | 2,775 | 11.5% | 24.4% | 79,200 62,300 to 98,900 |
| 2014 | 2,694 | 15.7% | 27.7% | 89,300 72,100 to 109,000 |
| 2013 | 2,442 | 15.7% | 30.6% | 95,100 76,800 to 112,700 |
| 2012 | 2,213 | 17.9% | 33.4% | 99,800 83,300 to 121,100 |
| 2011 | 1,720 | 19.5% | 36.1% | 109,600 88,000 to 126,800 |
| 2010 | 1,776 | 17.4% | 38.6% | 111,000 96,700 to 134,200 |
| 2009 | 1,944 | 19.8% | 39.8% | 119,100 101,600 to 140,100 |
| 2008 | 864 | 25.8% | 41.5% | 124,400 104,000 to 142,400 |
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 X6 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | X6 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres Less than most | 3.0% | 4.1% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 1.7% | 6.0% |
| Suspension Less than most | 1.7% | 4.8% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.1% | 2.7% |
| Brakes Less than most | 0.9% | 3.6% |
| Exhaust and emissions Less than most | 0.6% | 1.6% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.4% | 0.2% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 0.3% | 1.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.5%
- Washers0.7%
- Tyre tread0.7%
- Coil spring0.6%
- Engine warning light0.5%
- Side indicators0.5%
- Headlamp aim0.5%
- Ball joint0.4%
- Number plates0.4%
- Wipers0.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.6%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.6%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.5%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.5%
- Ball joint: excessively worn0.4%
- Side indicators: not working0.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.4%
- Number plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.3%
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%
- Brake pads: wearing thin2.3%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened1.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.6%
- Ball joint: has slight play1.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing1.1%
- Nail in tyre1.1%
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?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a BMW X6's own MOT record
Looking at a X6? 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.