BMW 640d — MOT pass rate & failures
The BMW 640d recorded a 86.0% MOT pass rate across 53,293 tests in this dataset (model years 2010–2019), with tyres, suspension and visibility its most common failure areas. Its 14.1% fail rate is lower than the 15.5% average across all BMW 6 Series versions.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 986 | 85.0% | 15.0% |
| 2012 | 5,525 | 83.6% | 16.4% |
| 2013 | 7,183 | 85.0% | 15.0% |
| 2014 | 11,099 | 85.1% | 14.9% |
| 2015 | 10,191 | 86.8% | 13.2% |
| 2016 | 9,532 | 87.9% | 12.1% |
| 2017 | 5,160 | 87.2% | 12.8% |
| 2018 | 3,610 | 85.0% | 15.0% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.3% | 4,421 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.2% | 1,720 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.3% | 1,240 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 1,030 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 1.3% | 674 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.0% | 514 |
| 7 | Other defects | 0.6% | 324 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 247 |
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 | 1,586 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 983 |
| 3 | Wipers | 768 |
| 4 | Washers | 613 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 562 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 527 |
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 | 18.5% | 9,859 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.6% | 5,136 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.4% | 2,331 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.2% | 2,227 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 1,542 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 719 |
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 | 4,362 | 12.2% |
| 30-60k | 16,947 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 18,504 | 14.5% |
| 90-120k | 9,652 | 15.2% |
| 120-150k | 3,000 | 16.0% |
| 150k+ | 820 | 16.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,282 | 13.5% |
| 2022 | 10,949 | 13.3% |
| 2023 | 10,748 | 14.3% |
| 2024 | 10,371 | 14.7% |
| 2025 | 9,943 | 14.4% |
What to check before buying a BMW 640d
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (8.3% 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 (3.2% 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.
- Visibility (2.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 reliable is the BMW 640d at MOT time?
86.0% of the 53,293 BMW 640d MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.1% fail rate, better than the 15.5% average across all 6 Series versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW 640d?
Tyres, recorded in 8.3% of tests, followed by suspension (3.2%).
Does the 640d get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.2% in the 0-30k band to 16.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 53,293 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-06. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.