Car statistics
How many BMW M6s are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 1,260 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 1,049 BMW M6s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 594 declared off the road (SORN). That is 28.3% fewer than the peak of 1,464 in 2017.
Numbers peaked in 2017 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 338 |
| 1995 | 321 |
| 1996 | 296 |
| 1997 | 296 |
| 1998 | 293 |
| 1999 | 279 |
| 2000 | 260 |
| 2001 | 233 |
| 2002 | 226 |
| 2003 | 209 |
| 2004 | 191 |
| 2005 | 474 |
| 2006 | 641 |
| 2007 | 712 |
| 2008 | 761 |
| 2009 | 753 |
| 2010 | 710 |
| 2011 | 703 |
| 2012 | 733 |
| 2013 | 823 |
| 2014 | 1,029 |
| 2015 | 1,243 |
| 2016 | 1,379 |
| 2017 | 1,464 |
| 2018 | 1,440 |
| 2019 | 1,392 |
| 2020 | 1,317 |
| 2021 | 1,286 |
| 2022 | 1,202 |
| 2023 | 1,165 |
| 2024 | 1,107 |
| 2025 | 1,051 |
| 2026 | 1,049 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
In 2025, 88.0% of BMW M6 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the BMW M6s tested pass 69.2% of the time, so the BMW M6 does better than average for its age, by 18.8 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 87.1%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | BMW M6 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 8–10 years | 88.1% | 75.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a BMW M6 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Tyres: ply or cords exposed”, on 19.9% of 151 failed tests. 28.9% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 19.9% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 14.6% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 7.9% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 7.9% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 7.3% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 10.3% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 6.2% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 3.5% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 3.3% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 2.6% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 2.1% |
| Nail in tyre Non-component advisories | 1.7% |
| Tyres: cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 1.7% |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes | 1.6% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The average BMW M6 covers 3,769 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 8–10 years | 4,572 |
| 11–14 years | 3,810 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of BMW M6s for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 312 in 2005. In 2025, 3 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 0 |
| ’02 | 3 |
| ’03 | 2 |
| ’04 | 4 |
| ’05 | 312 |
| ’06 | 227 |
| ’07 | 110 |
| ’08 | 50 |
| ’09 | 32 |
| ’10 | 20 |
| ’11 | 4 |
| ’12 | 75 |
| ’13 | 184 |
| ’14 | 267 |
| ’15 | 250 |
| ’16 | 225 |
| ’17 | 173 |
| ’18 | 70 |
| ’19 | 4 |
| ’20 | 2 |
| ’21 | 6 |
| ’22 | 2 |
| ’23 | 4 |
| ’24 | 3 |
| ’25 | 3 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 1,083 BMW M6s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 75.0% have an engine of 4,301cc to 4,400cc, and 19.9% have an engine of 4,901cc to 5,000cc. The share with an engine of 4,301cc to 4,400cc has grown from 42.0% in 2014 to 75.0%.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 4,301cc to 4,400cc 812 licensed | 75.0% |
| 4,901cc to 5,000cc 216 licensed | 19.9% |
| 3,401cc to 3,500cc 53 licensed | 4.9% |
| Other sizes 2 licensed | 0.2% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4,301–4,400cc | Petrol | 812 | 75.0% |
| 4,901–5,000cc | Petrol | 216 | 19.9% |
| 3,401–3,500cc | Petrol | 53 | 4.9% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 4,301–4,400cc | 4,901–5,000cc | 3,401–3,500cc |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 42.0% | 50.8% | 7.0% |
| 2015 | 53.3% | 40.8% | 5.7% |
| 2016 | 60.2% | 33.8% | 5.7% |
| 2017 | 66.1% | 28.8% | 4.9% |
| 2018 | 69.2% | 26.5% | 4.1% |
| 2019 | 69.9% | 25.4% | 4.6% |
| 2020 | 71.3% | 24.1% | 4.5% |
| 2021 | 71.9% | 23.1% | 4.9% |
| 2022 | 73.6% | 21.9% | 4.4% |
| 2023 | 74.3% | 21.0% | 4.6% |
| 2024 | 73.8% | 21.7% | 4.4% |
| 2025 | 75.0% | 19.9% | 4.9% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
DVSA lists 2 safety recalls for the BMW M6 since 1992, the first in 2012. The most recent was launched on 30 March 2020.
The other recall
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every BMW M6. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW M6 | 1,049 | −5.0% | 594 | 680 | Petrol |
| BMW 3 Series | 448,681 | −5.0% | 114,735 | 10 | Diesel |
| BMW 1 Series | 392,139 | −0.5% | 23,619 | 15 | Diesel |
| BMW 5 Series | 187,690 | −4.8% | 39,140 | 43 | Diesel |
| BMW 2 Series | 143,101 | +5.3% | 1,616 | 62 | Petrol |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 1,643 M6 records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 1,260 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
