2007 BMW M6 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 BMW M6 passed 89.4% of its 312 recorded MOT tests. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 21.6% of the time, so this is 11.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in visibility, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (3.9%) and brakes (3.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are washers, malfunction indicator lamp and service brake performance — washers alone was recorded 9 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2007 M6 fails 9.5% of the time in the 30-60k band and 13.3% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.8 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 18.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 14.3% in 2021 to 8.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.9% | 12 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.5% | 11 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.5% | 11 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 9 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 8 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.3% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 9 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 7 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 7 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 6 |
| 5 | Wipers | 6 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 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 | Brakes | 18.6% | 58 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.9% | 56 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.3% | 32 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 18 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.2% | 13 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.5% | 11 |
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 | 105 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 133 | 11.3% |
| 90-120k | 45 | 13.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 70 | 14.3% |
| 2022 | 63 | 11.1% |
| 2023 | 59 | 8.5% |
| 2024 | 59 | 10.2% |
| 2025 | 61 | 8.2% |
What to check before buying a 2007 M6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: visibility accounted for 3.9% of tests. Start there.
- Visibility (3.9% 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.
- Brakes (3.5% 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.
- Tyres (3.5% 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.
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 2007 BMW M6s pass their MOT?
89.4% of the 312 2007 BMW M6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 BMW M6?
Visibility, recorded in 3.9% of tests, followed by brakes (3.5%).
Does the 2007 M6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.5% in the 30-60k band to 13.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 312 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.