2005 BMW M6 — MOT failures & pass rate
667 MOT tests on the 2005 BMW M6 are in this dataset, and 87.7% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.2% of the time, so this is 9.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.0% of tests against 3.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, individual direction indicators and headlamp aim — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 22 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 15.8% versus 10.8%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 25.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 12.7% in 2021 to 9.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 47 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.9% | 26 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.1% | 21 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.5% | 17 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 13 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.9% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 22 |
| 2 | Individual direction indicators | 18 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 14 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 6 | Washers | 9 |
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 | 25.8% | 172 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.5% | 130 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.4% | 83 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 37 |
| 5 | Other defects | 2.7% | 18 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 15 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 111 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 310 | 13.2% |
| 90-120k | 184 | 11.4% |
| 120-150k | 38 | 15.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 158 | 12.7% |
| 2022 | 138 | 13.8% |
| 2023 | 135 | 12.6% |
| 2024 | 119 | 12.6% |
| 2025 | 117 | 9.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 M6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.9% 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.
- Suspension (3.1% 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.
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 2005 BMW M6s pass their MOT?
87.7% of the 667 2005 BMW M6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 BMW M6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.0% of tests, followed by brakes (3.9%).
Does the 2005 M6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 30-60k band to 15.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 667 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.