Executive car · 2004–2018 cars

BMW M6 reliability

The BMW M6 fails 10.5% of first MOT tests, 59% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,792 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 99/100#4 of 40 executive cars

Checking a BMW M6 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 10.5%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 59% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 5,792; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 6,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the BMW M6 ages

Each point is the share of BMW M6s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

BMW M6All cars

BMW M6 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	BMW M6	All cars
5	7.6%	16.4%
6	9.1%	19.1%
7	8.7%	22.1%
8	11.5%	25.5%
9	13.5%	28.8%
10	7.6%	31.8%
16	13.4%	42.9%
17	12%	43.4%
18	18.1%	43.5%

By year

The best and worst BMW M6 years

BMW M6 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2018	276	7.2%	50% fewer fails	32,201
2017	622	5.6%	64% fewer fails	32,669
2016	911	9%	54% fewer fails	43,149
2015	948	11.1%	51% fewer fails	49,190
2014 M6	1,068	10.4%	59% fewer fails	53,244
2013	520	11.3%	56% fewer fails	52,148
2007	204	11.3%	70% fewer fails	67,457
2006	418	12%	70% fewer fails	72,994
2005	406	16.5%	59% fewer fails	77,905

Common problems

What fails most on a BMW M6

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Tyres3.7%34% below avg
Lights and electrics2.5%72% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.8%25% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.5%66% below avg
Suspension1.4%81% below avg
Brakes1.1%80% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.9%207% above avg
Wheels0.3%21% above avg
Steering0.2%83% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.16% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.16% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
3
Lambda reading outside specified limits 0.6% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
4
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.57% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
5
Number plate does not meet standards 0.54% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.48% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.47% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
8
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.43% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW M6's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit6.8%
Brake disc pitted or scored3.52%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.9%
Brake pads wearing thin2.07%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy1.88%
Nail in tyre, monitor1.64%

Before you buy

What to check on a used BMW M6

1
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.
2
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.
3
Lambda reading outside specified limits
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
4
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
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 M6 covers about 6,100 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

Petrol99.7%
Diesel0.3%

Most common colours

Blue, Black, Grey, White, Orange

Average engine size: 4.5 litres.

Compare

How the BMW M6 compares with its rivals

BMW M6 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi RS4	15%	60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW M6	10.5%	59% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW Alpina	16.1%	54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Lexus ES	6.9%	52% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi S5	16.9%	51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Lexus RC	9.6%	43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi Allroad	27.8%	36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

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

Questions

BMW M6 questions, answered

Is the BMW M6 reliable?

On MOT results, the BMW M6 is better than average: it fails 10.5% of first MOT tests, 59% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 4 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a BMW M6 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW M6 are tyre ply or cords exposed (1.16% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.16% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (0.6% of tests). By area, tyres fails 3.7% of its tests.

How many miles does a BMW M6 do a year?

A typical BMW M6 covers about 6,100 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 M6 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.

Found a BMW M6? Check it free.

MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.