2011 BMW X6 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 BMW X6 passed 83.3% of its 4,493 recorded MOT tests. Against large SUVs of a similar age (19.2% fail rate), the 2011 X6 comes out 2.4pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.3%) and tyres (5.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and joints — coil spring alone was recorded 176 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.6% in the 30-60k band and 17.7% in the 150k+ band, a 4.0-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.3% | 326 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.6% | 250 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 204 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 135 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.8% | 127 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 107 |
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 | 176 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 132 |
| 3 | Joints | 115 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 111 |
| 5 | Washers | 99 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 70 |
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 | 25.1% | 1,128 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.6% | 882 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.3% | 685 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 502 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.7% | 299 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 295 |
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 | 264 | 13.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,121 | 14.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,797 | 17.7% |
| 120-150k | 961 | 18.4% |
| 150k+ | 334 | 17.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,243 | 16.8% |
| Petrol | 250 | 15.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 964 | 16.2% |
| 2022 | 959 | 16.4% |
| 2023 | 921 | 17.9% |
| 2024 | 881 | 17.8% |
| 2025 | 768 | 15.1% |
What to check before buying a 2011 X6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 7.3% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (7.3% 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.
- Tyres (5.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2011 BMW X6s pass their MOT?
83.3% of the 4,493 2011 BMW X6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 BMW X6?
Suspension, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by tyres (5.6%).
Does the 2011 X6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 30-60k band to 17.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,493 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.