BMW M6 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free BMW M6 car check
Is the BMW M6 reliable? We analysed 20,454 real MOT tests across 2,050 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific BMW M6? Enter the reg for a free check:
The BMW M6 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has ply or cords exposed and registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW M6.
BMW M6 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a BMW M6. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
BMW M6 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a BMW M6 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
BMW M6 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a BMW M6 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
BMW M6 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on BMW M6 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
BMW M6 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical BMW M6 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
BMW M6 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW M6 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 354 | 92.7% | 18,351 | 28,014 | 38,763 |
| 2017 | 1,129 | 93.1% | 19,064 | 28,815 | 43,264 |
| 2016 | 1,746 | 90.3% | 24,054 | 35,551 | 51,532 |
| 2015 | 2,131 | 89.6% | 26,279 | 38,135 | 52,573 |
| 2014 | 2,367 | 89.9% | 28,276 | 41,615 | 57,240 |
| 2013 | 1,556 | 89.5% | 24,839 | 39,270 | 55,161 |
| 2012 | 679 | 89.4% | 23,134 | 37,593 | 53,170 |
| 2011 | 60 | 88.3% | 29,106 | 57,426 | 88,851 |
| 2010 | 113 | 85.8% | 40,990 | 63,388 | 83,460 |
| 2009 | 347 | 87.0% | 28,104 | 45,123 | 58,284 |
| 2008 | 623 | 89.2% | 28,539 | 46,572 | 66,059 |
| 2007 | 1,456 | 85.2% | 30,088 | 47,549 | 68,036 |
| 2006 | 3,391 | 84.1% | 37,026 | 54,402 | 74,198 |
| 2005 | 4,339 | 84.9% | 37,562 | 58,203 | 77,990 |
How Long Does a BMW M6 Last?
Based on 2,050 BMW M6 vehicles on UK roads.
BMW M6 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all BMW M6 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used BMW M6
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.1% MOT pass rate from 1,129 tests
84.1% MOT pass rate from 3,391 tests
The best year to buy a used BMW M6 is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.1% across 1,129 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the BMW M6 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW M6 THIS CAR | 87.6% | 20,454 | 44,717 mi | 21 yrs |
| BMW 3 Series | 75.1% | 12,840,406 | 90,743 mi | 37 yrs |
| BMW 118 | 81.5% | 1,923,256 | 64,042 mi | 22 yrs |
| BMW X5 | 77% | 1,735,343 | 83,401 mi | 25 yrs |
| Renault Clio RS Line Tce | 87.3% | 12,124 | 23,959 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW M6 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a BMW M6 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific BMW M6Should you buy a used BMW M6?
The BMW M6 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.6% across 20,454 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the BMW M6 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (295 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cords exposed (169), and registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (107). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a BMW M6 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical BMW M6 owner drives around 3,693 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most BMW M6 models stay on UK roads for around 21 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.