Executive car · 1998–2021 cars

BMW 6 Series reliability

The BMW 6 Series fails 18.6% of first MOT tests, 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 89,899 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 86/100#13 of 40 executive cars

Checking a BMW 6 Series before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 18.6%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 40% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 89,899; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 9,000; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the BMW 6 Series ages

Each point is the share of BMW 6 Seriess of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

BMW 6 SeriesAll cars

BMW 6 Series first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	BMW 6 Series	All cars
3	10.2%	12.3%
4	12.4%	14.1%
5	12.2%	16.4%
6	14.5%	19.1%
7	14.8%	22.1%
8	15.8%	25.5%
9	17.1%	28.8%
10	18.9%	31.8%
11	17.5%	34.6%
12	19.8%	37.3%
13	21.2%	39.5%
14	21.7%	41.1%
15	25.2%	42.3%
16	25%	42.9%
17	27.8%	43.4%
18	27.9%	43.5%
19	25.9%	43.4%
20	25.6%	42.8%

By year

The best and worst BMW 6 Series years

2009 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

BMW 6 Series MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2020	661	9.4%	32% fewer fails	35,675
2019 6 Series	3,356	9.9%	36% fewer fails	41,642
2018 6 Series	9,327	11.9%	28% fewer fails	44,038
2017 6 Series	5,450	14.7%	20% fewer fails	48,034
2016 6 Series	7,530	14.6%	33% fewer fails	58,579
2015 6 Series	8,282	14.4%	43% fewer fails	68,056
2014 6 Series	8,311	16.4%	43% fewer fails	75,654
2013 6 Series	8,553	18.9%	41% fewer fails	85,705
2012 6 Series	6,620	18.9%	46% fewer fails	89,165
2011 6 Series	2,691	18.9%	45% fewer fails	76,007
2010 6 Series	2,114	21.9%	46% fewer fails	106,010
2009 6 Series	2,362	21%	50% fewer fails	110,265
2008 6 Series	4,324	23.5%	45% fewer fails	111,600
2007 6 Series	4,952	23.8%	45% fewer fails	108,237
2006 6 Series	5,670	27.5%	37% fewer fails	108,103
2005 6 Series	5,150	28.2%	36% fewer fails	107,533
2004 6 Series	4,477	27.7%	37% fewer fails	105,538

Common problems

What fails most on a BMW 6 Series

Its weak spot is wheels: 146% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Tyres7%5% above avg
Suspension4.9%53% below avg
Lights and electrics4.1%68% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.8%45% below avg
Brakes2.5%67% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.5%60% below avg
Steering1%53% below avg
Wheels1%146% above avg
Seat belts and airbags0.9%28% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.76% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.72% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Tyre bulge from structural failure 1.44% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.22% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.17% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
6
Position lamp not working 0.87% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.87% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
8
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 0.82% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW 6 Series's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit10.43%
Engine oil leak, not excessive4.58%
Brake pads wearing thin3.75%
Brake disc pitted or scored3.38%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear3%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy2.61%

Before you buy

What to check on a used BMW 6 Series

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Tyre bulge from structural failure
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical BMW 6 Series covers about 9,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel64.9%
Petrol35%
LPG0%

Most common colours

Black, Grey, Blue, White, Silver

Average engine size: 3.2 litres.

Compare

How the BMW 6 Series compares with its rivals

BMW 6 Series against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi A7	13.9%	48% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 6 Series	18.6%	40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz CLS	24%	24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo V60	21.6%	17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo S60	29%	15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz CLK	36.7%	13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Jaguar X-Type	41.8%	about average for its age

Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all BMW models.

Questions

BMW 6 Series questions, answered

Is the BMW 6 Series reliable?

On MOT results, the BMW 6 Series is better than average: it fails 18.6% of first MOT tests, 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 13 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a BMW 6 Series MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW 6 Series are coil spring fractured or broken (1.76% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.72% of tests), tyre bulge from structural failure (1.44% of tests). By area, tyres fails 7% of its tests.

Which BMW 6 Series year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2009 cars do best (50% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a BMW 6 Series do a year?

A typical BMW 6 Series covers about 9,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a BMW 6 Series before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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