Diesel BMW 6 Series: MOT pass rate

85.8% of diesel BMW 6 Series pass the MOT first time, measured across 3,565 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 72,514.

Diesel against the other BMW 6 Series versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the BMW 6 Series specifically, petrol is the strongest at 87.5%, and this diesel version sits 0.5 points below the 86.3% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel BMW 6 Series had covered 72,514 miles at test, against 69,131 for the petrol. That is a shade above the middle of the range, still ordinary wear rather than a red flag, but worth checking against the service book for the car's age.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the BMW 6 Series page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel BMW 6 Series

1. A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud, 0.8% of tests (2.53x the national rate for this defect)
2. Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 0.4% of tests (2.42x the national rate for this defect)
3. A tyre seriously damaged, 4.4% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this defect)
4. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.3% of tests (1.36x the national rate for this defect)
5. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 2.6% of tests
6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1.9% of tests
7. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.3% of tests
8. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1% of tests
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 0.7% of tests
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 0.7% of tests

From 3,583 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 6 Series tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 6 Series's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 8.38% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel BMW 6 Series

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A transmission shaft flexible coupling excessively deteriorated, 2.8% of tests (43.75x the national rate for this defect)
2. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 26.3% of tests, also fails
3. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 7.8% of tests, also fails
4. A tyre seriously damaged, 7.3% of tests, also fails
5. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 4.9% of tests
6. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 3.2% of tests, also fails
7. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3% of tests
8. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 1.8% of tests
9. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 0.9% of tests
10. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 0.8% of tests, also fails

From 3,583 DVSA-tracked diesel BMW 6 Series tests, 2024.

Other BMW 6 Series fuel types

• Petrol BMW 6 Series - 87.5%

All BMW 6 Series MOT data · Every model