2006 · 18 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2006 BMW 6 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

1,399 MOT tests in 2024. 71.2% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

127Well above average
Passed first time71.2%
Failed or needed repairs28.8%
Typical mileage at test111,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,399 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working4.7%
  2. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.6%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.4%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.4%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.4%
  6. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded2.3%
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.2%
  8. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
    41 marked dangerous
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
    50 marked dangerous
  10. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.6%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics16.7%
  2. Suspension11.1%
  3. Brakes9.9%
  4. Tyres6.4%
  5. Emissions & leaks4.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.9%
  7. Steering3.1%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine19.9%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.2%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded15.1%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.9%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 BMW 6 Series?

In 2024, 71.2% of 2006 BMW 6 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,399 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 BMW 6 Series?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; headlamp: not working on dipped beam; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2006 BMW 6 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 127, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).