CarCostCheck

BMW 6 SERIES (2011)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 247 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4395cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2757/year to run. 7 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific BMW 6 SERIES

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol4395cc15 years old247 tests81k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4395cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 4395cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,757
Per month£230/mo
Per week£53/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this BMW 6 SERIES

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%.

At 15 years old, 89% of BMW 6 SERIESs from 2011 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 247 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 80,577 miles.

Got a BMW 6 SERIES you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2011 cars124th of 615(top 20%)
Rank among BMW models843th of 1,564(top 54%)
vs national average+7%(82% avg)
vs 2011 cars average+12%(77% avg)
vs BMW average+1%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

80,577

Average miles

vs

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2011 BMW 6 SERIES has 80,577 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific BMW 6 SERIES?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

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%. The 2011 sits between the two at 89%.

BMW 6 SERIES by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202093%66238,758 mi
201992%2,29751,326 mi
201891%3,65656,355 mi
201788%63262,077 mi
201486%6687,054 mi
201388%1,89791,528 mi
201289%1,27595,998 mi
201189%24780,577 mi
201082%127105,279 mi
200986%125110,442 mi
200880%171117,234 mi
200790%203114,661 mi
200682%288121,301 mi
200580%147116,696 mi
199085%39122,050 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Bmw 6 series

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2011 BMW 6 SERIES

The 2011 BMW 6 SERIES is a premium performance with a 4395cc petrol engine. 247 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 20% of all 2011 cars for reliability.

With an average of 80,577 miles at 15 years old, BMW 6 SERIES owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2011 BMW 6 SERIES Fuel Costs

The 4395cc 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 2011 BMW 6 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% 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 2011 BMW 6 SERIES

At 15 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 93%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2011 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 15 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

Medium risk

With an average of 81k 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 2011 BMW 6 SERIES stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
BMW 6 SERIES(2011)89%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2757
BMW X5(2010)86%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
VOLVO XC90(2009)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360
MERCEDES SL(2013)89%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
BENTLEY CONTINENTAL(2013)96%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2097-£660

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.

Related Bmw Models

Explore other Bmw cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Bmw 6 series.

Check a specific BMW 6 SERIES

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a BMW 6 SERIES? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB