How much does a 2005 BMW 6 SERIES cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 BMW 6 SERIES?

The 2005 BMW 6 SERIES has a 80% MOT pass rate based on 147 tests in 2026. This ranks 146 out of 526 cars from 2005.

Which year BMW 6 SERIES is most reliable?

The 2020 BMW 6 SERIES has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%. The least reliable year is 2005 at 80%.

BMW 6 SERIES (2005)

Q: Is the 2005 BMW 6 SERIES reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 80% of BMW 6 SERIESs from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 147 tests. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2005 BMW 6 SERIES?

The average mileage for a 2005 BMW 6 SERIES is 116,696 miles, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 147 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2996cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £2427/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol2996cc21 years old147 tests117k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2996cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2996cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,427

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

80% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 21 years old, 80% of BMW 6 SERIESs from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 147 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 116,696 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars146th of 526(top 28%)

Rank among BMW models1361th of 1,564(top 87%)

vs national average-2%(82% avg)

vs 2005 cars average+8%(72% avg)

vs BMW average-8%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

116,696

Average miles

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 BMW 6 SERIES has 116,696 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 93% MOT pass rate, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 80%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

BMW 6 SERIES by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

LAND ROVER FREELANDER

2007 · 3192cc Petrol

£2,397/year

75%

-5%

SAAB 9-3

2007 · 2792cc Petrol

£2,397/year

76%

-4%

MERCEDES E

2004 · 3199cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-2%

MERCEDES CLK

2007 · 2997cc Petrol

£2,397/year

76%

-4%

Check a Specific Bmw 6 series

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About the 2005 BMW 6 SERIES

The 2005 BMW 6 SERIES is a premium performance with a 2996cc petrol engine. 147 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2005, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 116,696 miles at 21 years old, BMW 6 SERIES owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 BMW 6 SERIES Fuel Costs

The 2996cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2005 BMW 6 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW 6 SERIES Reliability Trend

Newer BMW 6 SERIESs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2005 BMW 6 SERIES

At 21 years old, the BMW 6 SERIES is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 BMW 6 SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 21 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 117k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2005 BMW 6 SERIES stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 6 SERIES(2005)	80%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2427
LAND ROVER FREELANDER(2007)	75%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£30
SAAB 9-3(2007)	76%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2397-£30
MERCEDES E(2004)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£30
MERCEDES CLK(2007)	76%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2397-£30

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.