BMW 6 Series MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW 6 Series. Check any 6 Series by registration number below.

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86.0%

Avg Pass Rate

-3.9%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Excellent

Reliability

BMW 6 Series — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW 6 Series has an average MOT pass rate of 86.0%, which is 3.9 percentage points below the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a strong result, indicating that the 6 Series is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

The most common reasons a BMW 6 Series fails its MOT are a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. If you are preparing your 6 Series for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used BMW 6 Series, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the BMW 6 Series performs at MOT across different model years.

2020

Based on 848 vehicles

91.9%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.5%

Retest Rate

9.8%

Mileage at 3yr

46k mi

Mileage at 5yr

80k mi

2019

Based on 3,149 vehicles

91.5%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.0%

Retest Rate

10.1%

Mileage at 3yr

60k mi

Mileage at 5yr

82k mi

2018

Based on 5,015 vehicles

91.0%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.3%

Retest Rate

9.4%

Mileage at 5yr

77k mi

2017

Based on 791 vehicles

86.5%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.4%

Retest Rate

18.6%

Mileage at 5yr

88k mi

2014

Based on 80 vehicles

83.8%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

8.9%

Retest Rate

17.9%

Mileage at 10yr

121k mi

2013

Based on 2,393 vehicles

85.1%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.5%

Retest Rate

14.1%

Mileage at 10yr

138k mi

2012

Based on 1,676 vehicles

86.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.1%

Retest Rate

14.2%

Mileage at 10yr

132k mi

2011

Based on 305 vehicles

86.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.7%

Retest Rate

9.8%

2010

Based on 128 vehicles

78.1%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.5%

Retest Rate

44.3%

2009

Based on 149 vehicles

80.5%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.0%

Retest Rate

26.3%

2008

Based on 221 vehicles

78.3%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

5.3%

Retest Rate

28.6%

2007

Based on 286 vehicles

81.8%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.7%

Retest Rate

10.9%

2006

Based on 402 vehicles

77.6%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.6%

Retest Rate

16.6%

2005

Based on 207 vehicles

81.6%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

4.6%

Retest Rate

13.1%

1990

Based on 49 vehicles

87.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

11.4%

1989

Based on 78 vehicles

87.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

7.7%

1987

Based on 46 vehicles

91.3%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

6.7%

1986

Based on 98 vehicles

92.9%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.4%

Retest Rate

8.1%

1985

Based on 124 vehicles

92.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

0

Based on 5,980 vehicles

87.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 5yr

65k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW 6 Series

The most common reasons a BMW 6 Series fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED

6.8%

A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened

2.4%

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

1.9%

A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc

1.7%

Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen

1.7%

BMW 6 Series Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Front Nearside

1.3%

Rear Offside

0.9%

Front Offside

0.8%

Other BMW Models

Compare MOT reliability across BMW models.

BMW 420d Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

90.4% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d Sport

87.3% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d M Sport X Auto

87.0% pass rate

BMW 550

82.4% pass rate

BMW 316 I

89.0% pass rate

BMW 540i Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

75.6% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for BMW 6 Series

BMW 6 Series — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW 6 Series MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 6 Series?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW 6 Series is 86.0% compared to the BMW average of 89.9%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 6 Series?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 6 Series are: A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED (6.8%), A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened (2.4%), Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (1.9%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the BMW 6 Series reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 86.0%, the BMW 6 Series is rated as "Excellent" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a BMW 6 Series?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a BMW 6 Series?

Typical mileage for the BMW 6 Series: 46,053 miles at 3 years, 80,463 miles at 5 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used 6 Series to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW 6 Series's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.