Large SUV · 2007–2021 cars

BMW X6 reliability

The BMW X6 fails 15.1% of first MOT tests, 44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 62,460 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 90/100#5 of 30 large suvs

Checking a BMW X6 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 15.1%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 44% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 62,460; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 9,500; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the BMW X6 ages

Each point is the share of BMW X6s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

BMW X6All cars

BMW X6 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	BMW X6	All cars
3	10.4%	12.3%
4	11.9%	14.1%
5	11.4%	16.4%
6	11.6%	19.1%
7	11.7%	22.1%
8	13.2%	25.5%
9	18.9%	28.8%
10	17.4%	31.8%
11	20.3%	34.6%
12	20.9%	37.3%
13	21.7%	39.5%
14	21.4%	41.1%
15	21.4%	42.3%
16	33.1%	42.9%

By year

The best and worst BMW X6 years

2015 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

BMW X6 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 X6	1,078	7.2%	43% fewer fails	29,142
2020 X6	3,347	9.7%	28% fewer fails	32,553
2019 X6	2,461	13.1%	13% fewer fails	39,610
2018 X6	9,128	11.6%	30% fewer fails	45,228
2017 X6	6,068	10.3%	48% fewer fails	55,275
2016 X6	7,604	11.1%	51% fewer fails	62,185
2015 X6	5,388	12.3%	53% fewer fails	73,536
2014 X6	5,503	18.2%	40% fewer fails	82,933
2013 X6	4,942	18%	45% fewer fails	90,498
2012 X6	4,460	20.1%	44% fewer fails	96,947
2011 X6	3,305	21.5%	44% fewer fails	104,892
2010 X6	3,384	19.6%	52% fewer fails	109,287
2009 X6	3,924	22.7%	47% fewer fails	114,854
2008 X6	1,864	26%	41% fewer fails	122,330

Common problems

What fails most on a BMW X6

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

Fail rate by area

Tyres5.7%14% below avg
Suspension3.5%57% below avg
Lights and electrics3.5%65% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.5%41% below avg
Brakes2%68% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.1%57% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.8%139% above avg
Body, chassis and structure0.7%76% below avg
Wheels0.7%66% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.75% 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 1.27% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
3
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.21% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.18% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.84% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.75% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
7
Side repeater not working 0.61% of tests
A failed side repeater means other road users cannot see your intended direction change, which is dangerous and must be fixed.
8
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 0.54% 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 X6's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit11.26%
Brake pads wearing thin3.84%
Engine oil leak, not excessive2.91%
Brake disc pitted or scored2.5%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear2.21%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking1.91%

Before you buy

What to check on a used BMW X6

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
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre 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 X6 covers about 9,500 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

Diesel91.8%
Petrol6.1%
Hybrid2.1%
Other0%

Most common colours

Black, White, Grey, Blue, Silver

Average engine size: 3.1 litres.

Compare

How the BMW X6 compares with its rivals

BMW X6 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
BMW X6	15.1%	44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz GLE	10.6%	42% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Land Cruiser	28.6%	25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Jeep Grand Cherokee	25.3%	23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo XC70	29.9%	21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Land Rover Range Rover Velar	13.7%	13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mitsubishi Shogun	33.1%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every large suv ranked in the large suv reliability index, or all BMW models.

Questions

BMW X6 questions, answered

Is the BMW X6 reliable?

On MOT results, the BMW X6 is better than average: it fails 15.1% of first MOT tests, 44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 5 of 30 large suv models in our index.

What fails most on a BMW X6 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW X6 are tyre ply or cords exposed (1.75% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.27% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (1.21% of tests). By area, tyres fails 5.7% of its tests.

Which BMW X6 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (53% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a BMW X6 do a year?

A typical BMW X6 covers about 9,500 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 X6 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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