2009 BMW X6 — MOT failures & pass rate
5,512 MOT tests on the 2009 BMW X6 are in this dataset, and 81.6% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 21.7% of the time, so this is 3.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.7%) and lighting & signalling (7.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, ball joint and washers — coil spring alone was recorded 350 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 18.6% versus 14.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.7% | 537 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 411 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.4% | 296 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.2% | 232 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 206 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 79 |
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 | 350 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 201 |
| 3 | Washers | 179 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 139 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 128 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 118 |
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 | 25.3% | 1,396 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.2% | 1,222 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.8% | 926 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.9% | 874 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 390 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.1% | 389 |
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 | 213 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,021 | 17.8% |
| 90-120k | 2,042 | 18.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,520 | 19.1% |
| 150k+ | 705 | 18.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,368 | 18.5% |
| Petrol | 141 | 14.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,226 | 18.0% |
| 2022 | 1,225 | 19.3% |
| 2023 | 1,113 | 17.2% |
| 2024 | 1,029 | 18.2% |
| 2025 | 919 | 19.3% |
What to check before buying a 2009 X6
On a 2009 X6, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (9.7% 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 (7.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.4% 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.
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 2009 BMW X6s pass their MOT?
81.6% of the 5,512 2009 BMW X6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 BMW X6?
Suspension, recorded in 9.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.5%).
Does the 2009 X6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.1% in the 30-60k band to 18.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,512 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.