2016 BMW X6 — MOT failures & pass rate
9,980 MOT tests on the 2016 BMW X6 are in this dataset, and 91.0% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 12.4% of the time, so this is 3.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.1%) and visibility (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 209 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2016 X6 fails 8.2% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.1% | 506 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.2% | 217 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 161 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.3% | 132 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 106 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.6% | 64 |
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 | 209 |
| 2 | Wipers | 198 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 112 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 103 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 82 |
| 6 | Washers | 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 | 21.3% | 2,130 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.4% | 940 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.6% | 655 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.5% | 447 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 259 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 225 |
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 | 735 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 4,235 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 3,554 | 9.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,164 | 10.7% |
| 120-150k | 232 | 11.6% |
| 150k+ | 59 | 10.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,502 | 9.0% |
| Petrol | 478 | 10.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,106 | 9.1% |
| 2022 | 2,023 | 9.4% |
| 2023 | 1,996 | 9.0% |
| 2024 | 1,942 | 8.6% |
| 2025 | 1,913 | 8.9% |
What to check before buying a 2016 X6
On a 2016 X6, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.1% 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 (2.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.6% 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 2016 BMW X6s pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 9,980 2016 BMW X6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 BMW X6?
Tyres, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by visibility (2.2%).
Does the 2016 X6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 10.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,980 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.