2008 BMW X6 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 BMW X6 passed 82.2% of its 2,725 recorded MOT tests. That is 4.9 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 22.8%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.2%) and lighting & signalling (6.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, washers and ball joint — coil spring alone was recorded 132 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 16.0% once past 150k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.2% | 251 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 178 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.9% | 161 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.8% | 130 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.2% | 114 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 38 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 132 |
| 2 | Washers | 112 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 100 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 82 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 66 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 58 |
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 | 24.9% | 680 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.2% | 659 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.4% | 501 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.6% | 479 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.2% | 195 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.4% | 148 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 72 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 347 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 936 | 17.9% |
| 120-150k | 883 | 18.4% |
| 150k+ | 468 | 16.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,664 | 17.9% |
| Petrol | 61 | 14.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 618 | 16.7% |
| 2022 | 612 | 18.1% |
| 2023 | 563 | 18.5% |
| 2024 | 517 | 20.3% |
| 2025 | 415 | 15.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 X6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 9.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (9.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.9% 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.
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 2008 BMW X6s pass their MOT?
82.2% of the 2,725 2008 BMW X6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 BMW X6?
Suspension, recorded in 9.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.5%).
Does the 2008 X6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 30-60k band to 16.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,725 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.