2013 BMW X6 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,061 MOT tests, the 2013 BMW X6 recorded an 85.0% pass rate. Against large SUVs of a similar age (16.3% fail rate), the 2013 X6 comes out 1.3pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.3%) and lighting & signalling (6.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are side repeaters, coil spring and tread depth — side repeaters alone was recorded 228 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.9% once past 150k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.3% | 443 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 439 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.7% | 259 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.5% | 179 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.4% | 167 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 75 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Side repeaters | 228 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 185 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 173 |
| 4 | Washers | 133 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 114 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 97 |
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 | 24.6% | 1,738 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.0% | 989 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.9% | 629 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.4% | 521 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 434 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 238 |
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 | 91 | 11.0% |
| 30-60k | 873 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,665 | 15.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,327 | 14.7% |
| 120-150k | 877 | 18.0% |
| 150k+ | 227 | 18.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,918 | 15.0% |
| Petrol | 143 | 14.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,503 | 14.0% |
| 2022 | 1,454 | 14.5% |
| 2023 | 1,453 | 15.8% |
| 2024 | 1,358 | 15.4% |
| 2025 | 1,293 | 15.4% |
What to check before buying a 2013 X6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.3% 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 (6.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.7% 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.
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 2013 BMW X6s pass their MOT?
85.0% of the 7,061 2013 BMW X6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 BMW X6?
Tyres, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.2%).
Does the 2013 X6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 0-30k band to 18.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,061 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.