2006 BMW 6 Series · 5,670 MOT tests
2006 BMW 6 Series reliability
2006 BMW 6 Seriess fail 27.5% of first MOT tests, 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 16 6 Series years (5,670 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 2006 BMW 6 Series?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 6 Seriess: 18.6%)
- 27.5%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW 6 Seriess: 18.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 37% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 108,103
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 5,670
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2006 against the years either side
- 2005 cars: 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does better)
- 2007 cars: 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does worse)
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 54% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2006 car carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
Common problems
What fails on a 2006 BMW 6 Series
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics10.7%
- Suspension8.4%
- Brakes7.8%
- Tyres5.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.2%
- Steering2.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 4.14%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 2.13%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 1.96%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.92%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.9%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.87%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (14.57%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.32%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (12.12%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (7.55%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.14%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (4.8%)
Other years
Every BMW 6 Series year
The full picture: BMW 6 Series reliability. Before you pay for any BMW 6 Series, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2006 BMW 6 Series reliable?
2006 BMW 6 Seriess fail 27.5% of first MOT tests, 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 16 6 Series years (5,670 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2006 BMW 6 Series MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (4.14% of tests), anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed (2.13% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (1.96% of tests).
How many miles should a 2006 BMW 6 Series have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2006 BMW 6 Series shows 108,103 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2006 car?
A car first registered in 2006 carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
Check a 2006 BMW 6 Series free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.