2013 BMW M6 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 683 MOT tests, the 2013 BMW M6 recorded an 89.0% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (14.5% fail rate), the 2013 M6 comes out 3.5pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.0%) and suspension (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, coil spring and tread depth — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 18 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 17.1% versus 4.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.0% | 34 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.5% | 17 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 16 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 14 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.5% | 10 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.0% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 18 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 14 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 12 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 11 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 8 |
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 | 15.8% | 108 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.8% | 60 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.8% | 19 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.9% | 13 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 11 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.3% | 9 |
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 | 124 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 333 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 182 | 13.2% |
| 90-120k | 35 | 17.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 151 | 8.6% |
| 2022 | 140 | 10.0% |
| 2023 | 148 | 14.9% |
| 2024 | 127 | 11.8% |
| 2025 | 117 | 9.4% |
What to check before buying a 2013 M6
On a 2013 M6, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Suspension (2.5% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (2.3% 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 2013 BMW M6s pass their MOT?
89.0% of the 683 2013 BMW M6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 BMW M6?
Tyres, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by suspension (2.5%).
Does the 2013 M6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 17.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 683 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.