2017 BMW M6 — MOT failures & pass rate
808 MOT tests on the 2017 BMW M6 are in this dataset, and 94.3% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 9.8% of the time, so this is 4.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and other defects.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 4.2% of all tests — 3.1 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, washers and headlamp aim — registration plates alone was recorded 14 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2017 M6 fails 5.2% of the time in the 0-30k band and 4.3% at 60-90k, a spread of only 0.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.2% | 34 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.1% | 9 |
| 3 | Other defects | 1.1% | 9 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 6 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 5 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.4% | 3 |
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 | 14 |
| 2 | Washers | 6 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 6 |
| 5 | Wipers | 4 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 4 |
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 | 14.5% | 117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.3% | 43 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.5% | 20 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.5% | 12 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.2% | 10 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 10 |
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 | 387 | 5.2% |
| 30-60k | 367 | 6.3% |
| 60-90k | 47 | 4.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 176 | 4.5% |
| 2022 | 164 | 3.7% |
| 2023 | 161 | 4.3% |
| 2024 | 146 | 6.9% |
| 2025 | 161 | 9.3% |
What to check before buying a 2017 M6
On a 2017 M6, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.2% 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 (1.1% 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.
- Other defects (1.1% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
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 2017 BMW M6s pass their MOT?
94.3% of the 808 2017 BMW M6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 BMW M6?
Tyres, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by visibility (1.1%).
Does the 2017 M6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.2% in the 0-30k band to 4.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 808 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.