2006 BMW 6 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
9,152 MOT tests on the 2006 BMW 6 Series are in this dataset, and 79.7% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 21.9% of the time, so this is 1.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.6%) and suspension (7.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rigid brake pipes and linkage ball joint dust cover — position lamp alone was recorded 467 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 23.7% once past 150k — 3.7× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 28.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 878 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.5% | 691 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.4% | 586 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.9% | 447 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.2% | 296 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.9% | 269 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 467 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 347 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 292 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 254 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 253 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 251 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 28.3% | 2,589 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.3% | 2,316 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.2% | 2,120 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.9% | 1,914 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.9% | 817 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 770 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 93 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 603 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,065 | 17.3% |
| 90-120k | 3,088 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 2,221 | 22.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,077 | 23.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,042 | 20.9% |
| 2022 | 1,969 | 20.7% |
| 2023 | 1,822 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 1,716 | 20.6% |
| 2025 | 1,603 | 20.2% |
What to check before buying a 2006 6 Series
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.5% 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 (6.4% 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 2006 BMW 6 Seriess pass their MOT?
79.7% of the 9,152 2006 BMW 6 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 BMW 6 Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.6% of tests, followed by suspension (7.5%).
Does the 2006 6 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 23.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,152 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.