2018 BMW X6 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2018 BMW X6 passed 90.0% of its 11,910 recorded MOT tests. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 10.3%, so the 2018 X6 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.6%) and visibility (2.8%) 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 malfunction indicator lamp — wipers alone was recorded 334 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2018 X6 fails 7.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.5% at 120-150k, a spread of only 0.8 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.6% | 672 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.8% | 329 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 186 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 157 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.0% | 115 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.9% | 107 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 334 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 189 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 175 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 155 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 124 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 73 |
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 | 18.8% | 2,234 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.1% | 961 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.4% | 759 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.9% | 342 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 329 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 177 |
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 | 3,235 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 5,992 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,259 | 12.3% |
| 90-120k | 365 | 14.0% |
| 120-150k | 47 | 8.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,413 | 9.9% |
| Petrol | 497 | 10.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,553 | 9.5% |
| 2022 | 2,421 | 9.0% |
| 2023 | 2,334 | 9.3% |
| 2024 | 2,302 | 10.6% |
| 2025 | 2,300 | 11.5% |
What to check before buying a 2018 X6
On a 2018 X6, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (2.8% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (1.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2018 BMW X6s pass their MOT?
90.0% of the 11,910 2018 BMW X6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 BMW X6?
Tyres, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by visibility (2.8%).
Does the 2018 X6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 8.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,910 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.