2017 BMW X6 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2017 BMW X6 passed 90.7% of its 7,687 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.0 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 11.3%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.5%) and visibility (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and registration plates — wipers alone was recorded 176 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.6% in the 0-30k band and 12.1% in the 120-150k band, a 5.5-point spread.
The diesel cars hold up better: 9.2% fail against 10.8% for petrol, a 1.6-point gap across 7,687 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.5% | 420 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.5% | 190 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 98 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 88 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.8% | 61 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.7% | 57 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 176 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 145 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 100 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 78 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 58 |
| 6 | Attachment | 45 |
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 | 20.4% | 1,566 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.5% | 729 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.2% | 480 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.6% | 274 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 230 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 120 |
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 | 1,063 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 3,728 | 8.7% |
| 60-90k | 2,212 | 10.7% |
| 90-120k | 562 | 11.7% |
| 120-150k | 99 | 12.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,084 | 9.2% |
| Petrol | 603 | 10.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,607 | 9.2% |
| 2022 | 1,549 | 8.6% |
| 2023 | 1,519 | 8.4% |
| 2024 | 1,541 | 10.3% |
| 2025 | 1,471 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 2017 X6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.5% 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 (2.5% 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 (1.3% 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 2017 BMW X6s pass their MOT?
90.7% of the 7,687 2017 BMW X6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 BMW X6?
Tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by visibility (2.5%).
Does the 2017 X6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 12.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,687 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.