BMW M6 MOT failures and reliability

In 2023 the BMW M6 took 1,370 MOT tests in Britain and passed 87% of them first time, above the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.

MOT tests in 2023: 1,370
First-time pass rate: 87%
All cars: 71%

What the M6 fails on

Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.

Tyres5.2% (all cars 6.4%)
Suspension2.3% (all cars 9.0%)
Exhaust and emissions1.9% (all cars 3.1%)
Visibility1.8% (all cars 4.8%)
Lights and electrics1.8% (all cars 11.3%)
Brakes1.4% (all cars 6.8%)
Number plates and VIN1.0% (all cars 0.4%)
Steering0.4% (all cars 1.8%)

Most common failure items

Share of tests on which each item was recorded.

Tyres, condition: has ply or cords exposed 2.2%
Tyres, condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.6%
Coil spring: fractured or broken 1.2%
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 0.9%
Tyres, condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 0.7%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction 0.7%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 0.7%
Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements 0.7%

Most common advisories

Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 11.8%
Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 4.6%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 4.5%
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material 2.8%
Brake pads: wearing thin 2.4%
Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre 2.3%
Tyres, condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords 2.1%
Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 1.7%

Typical mileage by age

Average odometer reading at the MOT, by the car's age in years at the test.

Age at test	Average mileage
6 years	33,126 miles
7 years	45,018 miles
8 years	48,594 miles
9 years	55,201 miles
10 years	54,225 miles
17 years	77,877 miles
18 years	80,903 miles

Check a particular M6

Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.

Other BMW models

Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.