Used buying checklist
BMW 6 Series reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used BMW 6 Series looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 11.7% of 5,980 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 11.7% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 54,153 miles
- 702 failed MOT tests analysed
Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (5.0 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint excessively worn, play in steering rack inner joint(s), and ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ball joint excessively worn
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt
- ball joint has excessive play
- does not clear the windscreen effectively
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- Items removed from drivers view prior to test
- excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view
- excessively corroded
- prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
Focus on suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure
The model's recorded failure rate is 11.7%, -7.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed5,980 tests
- Median tested mileage54,153 miles
- Failed MOT tests702
Should you buy a used BMW 6 Series?
88.3% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 11.7%, -7.0 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure
- suspension and steering appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "ball joint excessively worn"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (5.0 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the BMW 6 Series, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
The MOT failure rate rises from 9.6% at 0-3 years to 17.7% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (4.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the BMW 6 Series, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (5.0 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the BMW 6 Series mainly involve 6 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, mixed recall notices, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the BMW 6 Series, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 2,645 | 2,288 | 7.9%-3.0 percentage points vs all models | 34,333 miles |
| 50-100k | 2,200 | 1,856 | 13.2%-7.5 percentage points vs all models | 69,460 miles |
| 100-150k | 867 | 704 | 17.9%-8.3 percentage points vs all models | 117,470 miles |
| 150-200k | 170 | 133 | 22.9%-4.3 percentage points vs all models | 164,951 miles |
| 200k+ | 20 | 16 | 20.0%-6.6 percentage points vs all models | 218,192 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the BMW 6 Series, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and corrosion and structure.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 9.6% at 0-3 years to 17.7% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 17.7% for 15+ years cars, based on 634 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
188 | 172 | 9.6%+1.1 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
3,348 | 2,841 | 8.5%-2.1 percentage points vs all models | 4.9 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
386 | 334 | 13.5%-3.1 percentage points vs all models | 9.8 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
1,424 | 1,161 | 16.6%-7.0 percentage points vs all models | 10.7 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
634 | 516 | 17.7%-8.2 percentage points vs all models | 17.1 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2019-12-09 | THE PRESSING FORCE OF THE BEARING BUSHING INTO THE CRANKCASE MAY BE OUT OF SPECIFICATION The engine counterbalance shaft bearing bushing into the crankcase may be out of specification Replace the engine of affected vehicles |
|---|---|
| 2019-07-29 | POSSIBLE CORROSION OF THE BULKHEAD CONNECTOR OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE The branch-off point of the main battery cable may corrode The branch-off point will be checked and reworked appropriately depending on the level of corrosion present |
| 2019-03-01 | AUXILIARY WATER PUMP'S ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD COULD LEAD TO A SHORT CIRCUIT The auxiliary water pump may short circuit causing a thermal incident. The Auxiliary Water Pump of the affected vehicles will be replaced. |
| 2018-12-07 | EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION MODULE COOLER COULD LEAK The EGR cooler may leakpresenting a fire risk A visual inspection of the EGR cooler to check for leaks and excessive build-up of deposits. The EGR cooler will be replaced on all affected vehicles |
| 2018-10-15 | SOFTWARE FAULT IN CRANKSHAFT SENSOR The affected vehicles may be equipped with a crankshaft sensor with a software fault. On the affected vehicles the crankshaft sensor will be replaced with a new version. |
| 2018-08-20 | SOFTWARE FAULT WITH CRANKSHAFT SENSOR The affected vehicles may be equipped with a crankshaft sensor with a software fault. The crankshaft sensor cannot process the signal values from the crankshaft transmitter due to an improper firmware level. The firmware does not compensate sufficiently the temperature gradients and the magnetic field strength of the sensor electronic. If the crankshaft sensor cannot process the signal values from the transmitter the Digital Diesel Electronic (DDE) will notice that and change to the emergency operation mode. The emergency mode will be displayed by the check control message �engine malfunction�. The driver may notice a rough running engine and a reduced driving power (70%). However an engine stalling during driving conditions cannot be excluded. On the affected vehicles the crankshaft sensor will be replaced with a new version. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the BMW 6 Series. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other BMW reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.