2020 BMW 6 Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 818 MOT tests, the 2020 BMW 6 Series recorded a 90.7% pass rate. That is 1.1 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 8.2%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests against 1.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — tread depth alone was recorded 13 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.2% in the 0-30k band and 16.7% in the 60-90k band, a 9.4-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.3% | 43 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 15 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 11 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.2% | 10 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.0% | 8 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.7% | 6 |
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 | 13 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 11 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 6 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 6 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 5 |
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% | 150 |
| 2 | Other defects | 6.0% | 49 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.8% | 47 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 20 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 19 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 6 |
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 | 304 | 7.2% |
| 30-60k | 409 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 96 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 683 | 10.1% |
| Petrol | 135 | 5.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 268 | 9.3% |
| 2024 | 267 | 8.6% |
| 2025 | 260 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 6 Series
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (1.3% 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 2020 BMW 6 Seriess pass their MOT?
90.7% of the 818 2020 BMW 6 Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 BMW 6 Series?
Tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.8%).
Does the 2020 6 Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.2% in the 0-30k band to 16.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 818 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.