2025 MOT results
BMW 6 Series common problems
The most common reason a BMW 6 Series fails its MOT is a broken coil spring, on 14.4% of its 4,427 failed tests in 2025. Against other cars of the same age, 4 faults stand out, the widest gaps being: a bulge in a tyre at 7.0% of failures against 1.4% expected; a tyre worn through to the cords at 9.2% of failures against 4.6% expected; a cut tyre at 7.7% of failures against 4.2% expected.
- Tests in 2025 21,671 Cars aged three and over
- Failed first time 20.4% 4,427 tests
- Found a dangerous defect 6.9% Unsafe to drive away
- Ended with an advisory 41.2% A problem to watch, not a failure
What fails a BMW 6 Series MOT
Each bar is the share of failed BMW 6 Series tests with that defect. Where we can compare it with cars of the same registration years, the marker shows what an average car of those ages records (12 of the 12 items below).
Most common reasons for failure
A test can fail for more than one defect, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 14.4% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 9.2% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 7.7% |
| Tyres: bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Tyres | 7.0% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 6.0% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.9% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 5.3% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.2% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 5.0% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 4.6% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 4.3% |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Suspension | 3.9% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
-
Broken coil spring
14.4% of failures 9.0% expected 1.6 times as often
A broken suspension spring, which usually snaps in the bottom coil and often fails on both sides within a year.
Look at each corner for a sagging ride height, and listen for a knock over speed bumps.
-
Tyre worn through to the cords
9.2% of failures 4.6% expected 2 times as often
The tyre is worn or damaged far enough to expose the cords underneath, which is a dangerous defect.
Run a hand round the inner and outer walls of each tyre, which is where kerbing shows.
-
Cut tyre
7.7% of failures 4.2% expected 1.8 times as often
A cut in the tyre deep or long enough to reach the structure underneath, usually from a kerb or debris.
Run a hand round the inner and outer walls of each tyre, which is where kerbing shows.
-
Bulge in a tyre
7.0% of failures 1.4% expected 5 times as often
A bulge in the sidewall, where the casing inside the tyre has failed after an impact.
Run a hand round the inner and outer walls of each tyre, which is where kerbing shows.
-
Tyre worn below the legal limit
6.0% of failures 7.7% expected somewhat less often
A tyre worn past the 1.6mm legal minimum across the middle three quarters of the tread.
A 20p coin in the main grooves: if the outer band of the coin is visible, the tyre is close to the limit.
-
Engine management light on
5.9% of failures 5.8% expected about as expected
The engine management light is on, or has been disconnected. Either fails the test.
A cheap code reader on the diagnostic socket will say what the car has stored before you pay for a test.
Which parts of the car fail
Tyres is the area that most often fails a BMW 6 Series, on 33.2% of failed tests. That is also where it differs most from cars of the same registration years, which record 21.3%.
Failure categories
DVSA's own sections of the test. The marker is what cars of the same registration years record.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres | 33.2% |
| Suspension | 30.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 22.1% |
| Brakes | 15.7% |
| Visibility | 14.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.3% |
| Road wheels | 6.3% |
| Steering | 5.3% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
What testers warn about
41.2% of BMW 6 Series tests ended with at least one advisory: a fault the tester found that did not fail the test. On BMW 6 Series, these are the items to ask about on a car you are viewing, because they are what the last tester expected to go next.
Most common advisories
Share of all tests, passes included.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 15.6% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.9% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 5.5% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 5.4% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 5.2% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 3.8% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 3.5% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint has slight play Suspension | 2.3% |
| Tyres: cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 2.2% |
| Shock absorbers: light misting of oil Suspension | 2.0% |
| Nail in tyre Non-component advisories | 1.8% |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes | 1.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
BMW 6 Series problems: common questions
What is the most common problem with a BMW 6 Series?
Of the faults that fail an MOT, “Coil spring: fractured or broken” is the most common: it appears on 14.4% of failed BMW 6 Series tests. Across categories, tyres is the area that most often fails one, on 33.2% of failed tests.
How often does a BMW 6 Series fail its MOT?
20.4% of BMW 6 Series tests in 2025 were not passed first time, from 21,671 tests of cars aged three and over. Allowing for the age and mileage of the cars tested, that gives it a UK Motoring Reliability Score of 65 out of 100, where 50 is as expected.
Does anything fail more often on a BMW 6 Series than on other cars?
Yes. “Tyres: bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure” appears on 7.0% of its failures against 1.4% for cars of the same age, and “Tyres: ply or cords exposed” appears on 9.2% of its failures against 4.6% for cars of the same age. Where an item is missing from the national figures for a year, we use the smallest share those figures show, so the comparison never overstates the difference.
Are these the same as breakdowns or known faults?
No. These are the items a tester recorded at the MOT, which covers condition and safety: lamps, brakes, tyres, suspension, corrosion and emissions. A gearbox that is unpleasant, an infotainment screen that has died, or a car that will not start on a cold morning are not part of the test, so they are not in these figures.
Where do the figures come from?
Every normal MOT test of a BMW 6 Series aged three and over in Great Britain in 2025, from DVSA's anonymised MOT results. Retests are excluded, and the same fault on more than one wheel counts once.
Data stories to read next
Data sources and methodology
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOT defects and advisories | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 21,671 MOT tests | 19 September 2026 |
- Shares for defects are of failed tests; shares for advisories are of all tests. A test can carry several defects, so shares add to more than 100%.
- The expected share is what an average car of the same registration years records, weighted by where this model’s failures fall. Where an item is outside the national figures for a year, the smallest share those figures show is used in its place, which is an upper bound, so the comparison never overstates a model’s problems. No expectation is published where less than 80% of the model’s failures can be compared.
- Great Britain only: DVSA does not run MOT testing in Northern Ireland. Cars under three years old are not tested.
- The descriptions of what each part does are general and the same on every model. Every figure comes from the MOT data.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.