2016 BMW M6 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,100 MOT tests, the 2016 BMW M6 recorded a 90.5% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (10.8% fail rate), the 2016 M6 comes out 1.2pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.2% of tests against 2.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, catalyst emissions and wipers — registration plates alone was recorded 18 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 23.5% once past 90-120k — 5.4× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 16.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 9.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.2% | 57 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.0% | 22 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 13 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 12 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.0% | 11 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.5% | 6 |
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 | 18 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 13 |
| 3 | Wipers | 12 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 11 |
| 5 | Washers | 8 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
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 | 16.4% | 181 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.1% | 89 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.8% | 53 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 29 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 25 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.7% | 19 |
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 | 278 | 4.3% |
| 30-60k | 601 | 9.8% |
| 60-90k | 179 | 14.0% |
| 90-120k | 34 | 23.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 226 | 9.3% |
| 2022 | 223 | 7.2% |
| 2023 | 225 | 8.0% |
| 2024 | 218 | 11.9% |
| 2025 | 208 | 11.5% |
What to check before buying a 2016 M6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.2% 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.
- Visibility (2.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 many 2016 BMW M6s pass their MOT?
90.5% of the 1,100 2016 BMW M6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 BMW M6?
Tyres, recorded in 5.2% of tests, followed by visibility (2.0%).
Does the 2016 M6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.3% in the 0-30k band to 23.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,100 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.