BMW X6
From 33,500 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer X6s fare better: 2019 models pass at 88.2% vs 79.1% for 2008.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre cords visible or damaged, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and a tyre seriously damaged. The top issue, a tyre cords visible or damaged, caused 589 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 589 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 512 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 491 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 391 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 372 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 231 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 195 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 151 |
| number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 146 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 143 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 16.2% of X6 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 49.4% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £107.
BMW X6 on UK roads
The fleet is growing: 681 newly registered in the past year with 465 leaving, a net gain of 216. Currently at its highest numbers ever.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 16,162 | 1,329 | +110 | -118 | -8 |
| 2025 Q2 | 16,211 | 1,288 | +118 | -93 | +25 |
| 2025 Q1 | 16,183 | 1,291 | +228 | -120 | +108 |
| 2024 Q4 | 16,138 | 1,228 | +225 | -134 | +91 |
| 2024 Q3 | 16,120 | 1,155 | +30 | -104 | -74 |
| 2024 Q2 | 16,266 | 1,083 | +180 | -140 | +40 |
| 2024 Q1 | 16,249 | 1,060 | +145 | -131 | +14 |
| 2023 Q4 | 16,307 | 988 | +161 | -93 | +68 |
20 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| X6 Xdrive30D M Sport Auto | Diesel | 3,108 | 20% |
| X6 Xdrive40D M Sport Auto | Diesel | 1,922 | 12% |
| X6 Xdrive30D M Sport Mhev Auto | Hybrid Electric (Petrol) | 1,524 | 10% |
| X6 Xdrive30D Auto | Diesel | 1,147 | 7% |
| X6 Xdrive40D Auto | Diesel | 1,097 | 7% |
| X6 Xdrive 30D Auto | Diesel | 1,085 | 7% |
| X6 M50D Auto | Diesel | 1,077 | 7% |
| X6 Xdrive40D M Sport Mhev Auto | Hybrid Electric (Diesel) | 841 | 5% |
| X6 Xdrive 35D Auto | Diesel | 737 | 5% |
| X6 Xdrive 40D Auto | Diesel | 620 | 4% |
| X6 Xdrive40I M Sport Mhev Auto | Hybrid Electric (Petrol) | 561 | 4% |
| X6 Xdrive40D M Sport Edition A | Diesel | 384 | 2% |
| X6 Xdrive30D M Sport Edition A | Diesel | 327 | 2% |
| X6 M Competition Auto | Petrol | 282 | 2% |
| X6 Xdrive40I M Sport Auto | Petrol | 267 | 2% |
| X6 M Auto | Petrol | 244 | 2% |
| X6 M50I Auto | Petrol | 204 | 1% |
| X6 Xdrive30D Se Auto | Diesel | 200 | 1% |
| X6 Xdrive40D Se Auto | Diesel | 117 | <1% |
| X6 M60I Xdrive Mhev Auto | Hybrid Electric (Petrol) | 110 | <1% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 88.2% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2018 | 90.2% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2017 | 91% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2016 | 91.1% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
8 earlier years
| 2015 | 89.6% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2014 | 86.2% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2013 | 86.3% | a tyre seriously damaged, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2012 | 85.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2011 | 83.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2010 | 85.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2009 | 83.2% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2008 | 79.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
Typical mileage
Half of all X6s tested had between 63,425 and 91,395 miles on the clock.
At 70,747 median miles, the X6 has 0.018 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW X6 MOT pass rate?
The BMW X6 has a 87.6% MOT pass rate based on 33,500 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW X6?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW X6 is a tyre cords visible or damaged, which caused 589 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
How many BMW X6s are on UK roads?
There are 16,162 BMW X6s currently licensed on UK roads, with 1,329 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW X6 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW X6 is 70,747 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 63,425 and 91,395 miles.
Buying a used X6?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.