2011 · 13 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2011 BMW 6 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

623 MOT tests in 2024. 78.5% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

127Well above average
Passed first time78.5%
Failed or needed repairs21.5%
Typical mileage at test81,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 623 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.6%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.0%
    27 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.7%
    28 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.6%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.3%
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.3%
  7. Road Wheels - condition: fractured1.0%
    10 marked dangerous
  8. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.8%
  9. Headlamp: not working on main beam0.8%
  10. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres10.0%
  2. Suspension8.2%
  3. Lights & electrics4.3%
  4. Emissions & leaks3.2%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.8%
  6. Brakes1.4%
  7. Wheels1.1%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.3%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.9%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.9%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5.0%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine4.8%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2011 BMW 6 Series?

In 2024, 78.5% of 2011 BMW 6 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 623 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 BMW 6 Series?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2011 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).