2019 BMW 6 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
4,782 MOT tests on the 2019 BMW 6 Series are in this dataset, and 91.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (8.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.0% of tests against 1.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, malfunction indicator lamp and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 88 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.8% in the 0-30k band and 16.7% in the 120-150k band, a 9.9-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 7.3% fail against 8.9% for diesel, a 1.6-point gap across 4,782 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 7.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.0% | 239 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 55 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 51 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 44 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 42 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 38 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 88 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 50 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 44 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 32 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 29 |
| 6 | Washers | 28 |
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 | 18.3% | 873 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.1% | 388 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.1% | 292 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.3% | 156 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 130 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 36 |
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 | 1,493 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 2,219 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 829 | 11.2% |
| 90-120k | 177 | 8.5% |
| 120-150k | 36 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,417 | 8.9% |
| Petrol | 1,365 | 7.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 98 | 7.1% |
| 2022 | 1,208 | 7.6% |
| 2023 | 1,172 | 7.8% |
| 2024 | 1,163 | 9.0% |
| 2025 | 1,141 | 9.6% |
What to check before buying a 2019 6 Series
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.0% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (1.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2019 BMW 6 Seriess pass their MOT?
91.5% of the 4,782 2019 BMW 6 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 BMW 6 Series?
Tyres, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.1%).
Does the 2019 6 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 16.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,782 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.