BMW X6 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

10,865 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2012–2020 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 8 BMW X6 years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

Below the average for their first-use yearNone
Above the average for their first-use year2012–2018 and 2020
Can't be told apart from averageNone

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

84.0%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 83.3% to 84.7%.

BMW X6, all years84.0%
Same-age average, all vehicles74.5%

In 2025, 84.0% of the 10,865 initial MOT tests on BMW X6 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 74.5%. That is 9.6 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific X6

Its own MOT history, free.

BMW X6 MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

Year	Testsmedian miles	Passed first time	Against all vehicles that year
2020age 5	1,05142,400	89.2%±2.1	+3.2 ptsall: 86.0%
2018age 7	2,07260,000	84.1%±1.7	+3.2 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 8	1,34570,400	86.7%±2.0	+8.5 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 9	1,76277,300	88.1%±1.6	+13.2 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 10	1,24587,300	84.8%±2.2	+12.9 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 11	1,27595,300	81.7%±2.3	+13.1 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 12	1,112102,200	79.0%±2.5	+13.2 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 13	1,003107,800	75.3%±2.8	+11.8 ptsall: 63.5%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

BMW X6 first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

87.5% of BMW X6 tests at 30,000 to 59,999 miles passed first time, against 78.7% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 81.3% and 63.3%.

Miles at the test	Tests	Passed first time	Against all vehicles, same age and mileage
30,000–59,999	2,735	87.5%±1.3	+6.2 ptsall: 81.3%
60,000–89,999	3,866	84.9%±1.2	+12.1 ptsall: 72.8%
90,000–119,999	2,558	80.9%±1.6	+14.9 ptsall: 66.0%
120,000 or more	1,321	78.7%±2.3	+15.4 ptsall: 63.3%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, X6 tests were above average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all BMW X6 tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000. 2 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common X6 problems at the MOT

Share of the 1,736 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

Tyres36.6%

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

Most common MOT failures on the BMW X6

The defects recorded most often at the 1,736 failed initial tests on BMW X6 cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

Defect	Share of failed tests	All vehicles, same age
Tyre has ply or cords exposedTyres	13.5%235 tests	4.9%
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres	11.4%198 tests	5.5%
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres	8.9%155 tests	8.8%
Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks	8.2%143 tests	5.5%
Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors	7.6%132 tests	6.5%
Side repeaters not workingLights and electrics	7.5%130 tests	1.5%
Coil spring fractured or brokenSuspension	7.2%125 tests	9.3%
Washer provides insufficient washer liquidWindscreen, wipers, mirrors	5.4%94 tests	4.8%
Road wheel fixing missingWheels	4.1%72 tests	1.0%
Suspension arm ball joint excessively wornSuspension	4.1%72 tests	4.9%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the X6's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing a X6

Based on the areas where BMW X6 MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

Tyres
In 36.6% of failed X6 tests
- Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
- Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a X6's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

BMW X6 cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of BMW X6 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.0% failed on tyres, against 5.0% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,577 and 6,768 cars.

With a tyre advisory7.0%
Similar cars, nothing noted5.0%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 17.9% of those with a tyre advisory and 17.1% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this out All models compared, with the data

BMW X6 questions

Which BMW X6 years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2012–2018 and 2020. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the BMW X6 reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 84.0% of initial MOT tests on BMW X6 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 74.5%. That is 9.6 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common BMW X6 problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are tyres (in 36.6% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old BMW X6?

At their 2025 MOT tests, BMW X6 cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 87,300 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific X6's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any BMW X6

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checks What MOT history doesn't show

Other BMW models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 22 BMW models Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all BMW X6 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count