1989 BMW 6 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 764 MOT tests, the 1989 BMW 6 Series recorded an 85.3% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 17.4% of the time, so this is 2.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 9.3% of all tests — 3.0 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 40 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1989 6 Series fails 15.7% of the time in the 30-60k band and 15.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 15.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 15.9% in 2021 to 11.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 71 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.3% | 48 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.8% | 37 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 34 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 27 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.2% | 17 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 40 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 30 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 25 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 22 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 22 |
| 6 | Washers | 21 |
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 | 15.4% | 118 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.1% | 108 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.9% | 83 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 74 |
| 5 | Tyres | 8.4% | 64 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.4% | 41 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 70 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 133 | 11.3% |
| 90-120k | 164 | 12.2% |
| 120-150k | 183 | 18.0% |
| 150k+ | 198 | 15.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 157 | 15.9% |
| 2022 | 154 | 15.6% |
| 2023 | 155 | 14.8% |
| 2024 | 148 | 15.5% |
| 2025 | 150 | 11.3% |
What to check before buying a 1989 6 Series
On a 1989 6 Series, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.3% 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 (4.8% 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 1989 BMW 6 Seriess pass their MOT?
85.3% of the 764 1989 BMW 6 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 BMW 6 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.3% of tests, followed by suspension (6.3%).
Does the 1989 6 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.7% in the 30-60k band to 15.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 764 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.