2015 BMW M6 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2015 BMW M6 passed 90.0% of its 1,181 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.9 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 11.8%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.8%) and lighting & signalling (1.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, catalyst emissions and tread depth — registration plates alone was recorded 21 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.5% in the 0-30k band and 18.8% in the 90-120k band, a 10.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 10.7% in 2021 to 8.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.8% | 57 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 22 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 20 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.3% | 15 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.1% | 13 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.0% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plates | 21 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 21 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 20 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 5 | Headlamp cleaning device | 10 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 10 |
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% | 186 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.0% | 106 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.5% | 41 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.9% | 22 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 20 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.3% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 201 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 684 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 258 | 10.8% |
| 90-120k | 32 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 252 | 10.7% |
| 2022 | 253 | 9.1% |
| 2023 | 238 | 11.8% |
| 2024 | 221 | 9.5% |
| 2025 | 217 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2015 M6
On a 2015 M6, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.8% 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 (1.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (1.7% 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 2015 BMW M6s pass their MOT?
90.0% of the 1,181 2015 BMW M6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 BMW M6?
Tyres, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.9%).
Does the 2015 M6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,181 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.