2018 BMW M6 — MOT failures & pass rate
327 MOT tests on the 2018 BMW M6 are in this dataset, and 93.6% of them passed. That is 2.6 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 9.0%. Failures cluster in tyres, other defects and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.4%) and other defects (1.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, tread depth and catalyst emissions — registration plates alone was recorded 8 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 13.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.4% | 11 |
| 2 | Other defects | 1.5% | 5 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.9% | 3 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 3 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 1 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 8 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 4 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 3 |
| 4 | Washers | 2 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 1 |
| 6 | Mirrors | 1 |
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 | 13.8% | 45 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.3% | 14 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.8% | 9 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 5 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 2 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 179 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 138 | 6.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 66 | 7.6% |
| 2022 | 75 | 4.0% |
| 2023 | 64 | 3.1% |
| 2024 | 62 | 11.3% |
| 2025 | 60 | 6.7% |
What to check before buying a 2018 M6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.4% 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.
- Other defects (1.5% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
- Visibility (0.9% 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.
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 2018 BMW M6s pass their MOT?
93.6% of the 327 2018 BMW M6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 BMW M6?
Tyres, recorded in 3.4% of tests, followed by other defects (1.5%).
Does the 2018 M6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 6.5% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 327 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.