2012 Bmw 6 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,232 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Bmw 6 Series, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 84.1% was above the average for cars of a similar age (79.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 18.6% in the 150k+ group versus 10.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.3% | 670 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.1% | 559 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 302 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.8% | 262 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 1.3% | 115 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.2% | 114 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 502 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 183 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 167 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 160 |
| 5 | Washers | 159 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 147 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.2% | 1,771 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.2% | 1,031 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.2% | 848 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.7% | 435 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 292 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 255 |
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 | 165 | 10.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,295 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 3,516 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 2,864 | 16.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,070 | 16.9% |
| 150k+ | 318 | 18.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 8,393 | 16.1% |
| Petrol | 839 | 14.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,024 | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 1,947 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 1,866 | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 1,749 | 16.1% |
| 2025 | 1,646 | 15.9% |
What to check before buying a 2012 6 Series
Before buying a 2012 Bmw 6 Series, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.3% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (6.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2012 Bmw 6 Seriess pass their MOT?
84.1% of the 9,232 2012 Bmw 6 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Bmw 6 Series?
Tyres, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by suspension (6.1%).
Does the 2012 6 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.9% in the 0-30k band to 18.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,232 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.