2010 BMW X6 — MOT failures & pass rate
4,528 MOT tests on the 2010 BMW X6 are in this dataset, and 83.3% of them passed. That is 3.8 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 20.5%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.8%) and lighting & signalling (6.7%) 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 tread depth — coil spring alone was recorded 214 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 18.5% versus 11.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.8% | 354 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 301 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.2% | 235 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.5% | 160 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 132 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 63 |
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 | 214 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 156 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 113 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 97 |
| 5 | Washers | 96 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 79 |
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% | 1,128 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.1% | 954 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.6% | 706 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.6% | 570 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.3% | 286 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 279 |
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 | 166 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,010 | 16.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,698 | 17.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,134 | 16.7% |
| 150k+ | 491 | 18.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,397 | 16.9% |
| Petrol | 127 | 13.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,005 | 16.8% |
| 2022 | 952 | 15.7% |
| 2023 | 921 | 16.9% |
| 2024 | 866 | 17.9% |
| 2025 | 784 | 16.4% |
What to check before buying a 2010 X6
On a 2010 X6, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (7.8% 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 (6.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
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 2010 BMW X6s pass their MOT?
83.3% of the 4,528 2010 BMW X6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 BMW X6?
Suspension, recorded in 7.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.7%).
Does the 2010 X6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 30-60k band to 18.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,528 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.