BMW 6 Series

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 15 model years from 11,832 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

87%

Total Tests

11,832

Highest Pass Rate

2020 (93%)

Years Covered

About the BMW 6 Series

The BMW 6 Series was MOT tested 11,832 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 15 model years (1990 to 2020), with an average pass rate of 87%. That's slightly above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol and diesel versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 93% from 662 tests. The 2005 model has the lowest at 80%. The 13 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 6 Seriess pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 7 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 122,050 miles, while the newest (2020) averages 38,758 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

£1,631

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,086

Per month£174/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2020 details

How reliable is the BMW 6 Series?

vs average of all models+5% (82% avg)

vs BMW brand average-1% (88% avg)

Best to worst year spread13 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

BMW 6 Series by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2020	93%	662	38,758 mi
2019	92%	2,297	51,326 mi
2018	91%	3,656	56,355 mi
2017	88%	632	62,077 mi
2014	86%	66	87,054 mi
2013	88%	1,897	91,528 mi
2012	89%	1,275	95,998 mi
2011	89%	247	80,577 mi
2010	82%	127	105,279 mi
2009	86%	125	110,442 mi
2008	80%	171	117,234 mi
2007	90%	203	114,661 mi
2006	82%	288	121,301 mi
2005	80%	147	116,696 mi
1990	85%	39	122,050 mi

Questions about the BMW 6 Series

Is the BMW 6 Series reliable?

Across its 15 model years in our data (1990 to 2020), the BMW 6 Series averages an 87% MOT pass rate, from 11,832 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2020 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 93%.

Which year BMW 6 Series has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 BMW 6 Series has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 80%, a 13 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.