1987 BMW 6 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
311 MOT tests on the 1987 BMW 6 Series are in this dataset, and 82.3% of them passed. That is 1.3 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 16.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.0%) and suspension (7.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, washers and headlamp aim — service brake performance alone was recorded 32 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.6% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 18.0% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 16.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.5% in 2021 to 15.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 28 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.7% | 24 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.4% | 23 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.1% | 16 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.2% | 10 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 32 |
| 2 | Washers | 17 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 14 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 13 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 13 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.1% | 50 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.8% | 46 |
| 3 | Tyres | 14.5% | 45 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.7% | 24 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 22 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.5% | 17 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 59 | 13.6% |
| 90-120k | 96 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 64 | 17.2% |
| 150k+ | 61 | 18.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 68 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 64 | 18.8% |
| 2023 | 65 | 15.4% |
| 2024 | 55 | 14.5% |
| 2025 | 59 | 15.3% |
What to check before buying a 1987 6 Series
On a 1987 6 Series, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1987 BMW 6 Seriess pass their MOT?
82.3% of the 311 1987 BMW 6 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 BMW 6 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by suspension (7.7%).
Does the 1987 6 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 60-90k band to 18.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 311 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.