2015 BMW X6 — MOT failures & pass rate
7,162 MOT tests on the 2015 BMW X6 are in this dataset, and 89.5% of them passed. Against large SUVs of a similar age (13.7% fail rate), the 2015 X6 comes out 3.1pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.6% of tests against 2.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and registration plates — tread depth alone was recorded 182 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2015 X6 fails 7.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.3 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.6% | 404 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.1% | 151 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.1% | 151 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.5% | 108 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 108 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.9% | 65 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 182 |
| 2 | Wipers | 132 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 108 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 72 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 66 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 61 |
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 | 21.8% | 1,560 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.8% | 773 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.1% | 506 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.2% | 442 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 239 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.0% | 146 |
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 | 277 | 7.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,174 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 2,863 | 10.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,418 | 12.2% |
| 120-150k | 346 | 12.1% |
| 150k+ | 82 | 7.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,758 | 10.7% |
| Petrol | 404 | 8.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,489 | 9.9% |
| 2022 | 1,459 | 10.5% |
| 2023 | 1,429 | 10.0% |
| 2024 | 1,403 | 11.3% |
| 2025 | 1,382 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2015 X6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.6% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Visibility (2.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Suspension (2.1% 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 2015 BMW X6s pass their MOT?
89.5% of the 7,162 2015 BMW X6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 BMW X6?
Tyres, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by visibility (2.1%).
Does the 2015 X6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.6% in the 0-30k band to 7.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,162 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.