2010 · 14 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2010 BMW 6 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

522 MOT tests in 2024. 77.4% passed first time, compared with 59.6% for all cars the same age.

130Well above average
Passed first time77.4%
Failed or needed repairs22.6%
Typical mileage at test112,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 522 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.2%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
    18 marked dangerous
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.9%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.9%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.7%
    14 marked dangerous
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
  8. Position lamp: not working1.1%
  9. Washers: not working1.1%
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
    7 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension10.7%
  2. Tyres6.9%
  3. Brakes5.4%
  4. Lights & electrics4.8%
  5. Steering3.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.9%
  7. Number plates & VIN0.6%
  8. Emissions & leaks0.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.6%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.0%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.0%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn6.9%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.2%

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: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2009 6 SeriesAll 6 Series years2011 6 Series →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2010 BMW 6 Series?

In 2024, 77.4% of 2010 BMW 6 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 522 tests. The average for all 14-year-old cars was 59.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2010 BMW 6 Series?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2010 BMW 6 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 130, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).