MOT fail rates by first-use year
2012 BMW 6 Series MOT fail rate and common faults
How BMW 6 Series cars first used in 2012 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 6,244 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 13 years, tested in 2025
What stands out
- In 2025, at 13 years old, BMW 6 Series cars first used in 2012 failed 21.7% of MOTs (1,430 tests), 16.5 points below the 38.3% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2025, as these cars went from 10 to 13 years old, the fail rate moved from 21.5% to 21.7%.
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the BMW 6 Series at 13 years, is coil spring broken, at 4.5 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 4.1).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 years | 21.5% | 1,672 | 30.3% | −8.8 pts |
| 2023 | 11 years | 20.3% | 1,627 | 33.3% | −13.0 pts |
| 2024 | 12 years | 20.5% | 1,515 | 36.0% | −15.5 pts |
| 2025 | 13 years | 21.7% | 1,430 | 38.3% | −16.5 pts |
Most common faults at 13 years
These figures cover all BMW 6 Series MOTs (first used 2004 or later) at 13 years: cars first used 2009 to 2012, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,306). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring broken | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| Tyre with cords exposed Wear | 2.6 | 1.8 |
| Suspension ball joint worn | 2.3 | 2.5 |
| Tyre tread below 1.6 mm Wear | 1.5 | 3.0 |
| Tyre condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Wear | 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Wear | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Steering track rod end: ball joint play | 1.1 | 1.9 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 1.1 | 2.0 |
| Dipped headlight not working Wear | 1.1 | 2.2 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 1.0 | 2.1 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=3,306). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 15.5 | 18.2 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 6.4 | 10.6 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 6.2 | 7.2 |
| Suspension ball joint: slight play | 5.1 | 2.0 |
| Brake pads wearing thin Wear | 5.0 | 7.3 |
| Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement | 3.7 | 8.0 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 3.1 | 9.1 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit, under the 1.0 mm rule Wear | 2.3 | 2.4 |
| Windscreen: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view | 2.1 | 2.9 |
| Shock absorber misting oil | 2.1 | 4.0 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=3,306). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 13 years
These figures cover all BMW 6 Series MOTs (first used 2004 or later) at 13 years: cars first used 2009 to 2012, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,306). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 74.4% | 23.4% | 2,459 | 39.1% | 103,861 miles |
Car tax rules for a 2012 car
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Petrol cars first registered from 2006 usually meet Euro 4, the petrol standard for the London ULEZ, so they usually do not pay the daily charge.
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 2012 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the BMW 6 Series
Other BMW models first used in 2012
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 3 Series (2012) | 13 years in 2025 | 31.7% | 31,320 | 38.3% |
| BMW 1 Series (2012) | 13 years in 2025 | 33.2% | 27,831 | 38.3% |
| BMW 5 Series (2012) | 13 years in 2025 | 26.5% | 13,320 | 38.3% |
| BMW X3 (2012) | 13 years in 2025 | 28.7% | 6,696 | 38.3% |
| BMW X1 (2012) | 13 years in 2025 | 30.4% | 5,155 | 38.3% |
| BMW X5 (2012) | 13 years in 2025 | 23.4% | 3,745 | 38.3% |
| BMW Z4 (2012) | 13 years in 2025 | 19.9% | 1,850 | 38.3% |
| BMW X6 (2012) | 13 years in 2025 | 24.4% | 1,016 | 38.3% |
More on the BMW 6 Series
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2012 BMW 6 Series cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.