Common problems by part
BMW 6 Series road wheels problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 7,945 MOT tests · Updated
At 9 years, 1.1 in 100 MOT tests of the BMW 6 Series failed on road wheels, against 0.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 7,945 MOT tests) [1].
Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.
- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 89 MOT tests with a fail
- When it starts: clear of 1.2 times from 15 years and at every older age seen
- Most common fail: Road wheel condition: fractured, 0.6 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
1.1 fails per 100 MOT tests at 9 years, against 0.4 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 9 (all test years). That is about average.
Why it matters
A road wheels fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated dangerous by DVSA.
What to check
Look for cracked or badly kerbed rims and check that every wheel nut is present; a vibration through the wheel at speed points to a bent rim or balance.
BMW 6 Series road wheels fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1,378 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 4 | 3,760 | 1.1 | 0.2 |
| 5 | 5,078 | 1.2 | 0.2 |
| 6 | 6,663 | 1.2 | 0.2 |
| 7 | 7,590 | 1.4 | 0.3 |
| 8 | 7,289 | 1.3 | 0.3 |
| 9 | 7,945 | 1.1 | 0.4 |
| 10 | 7,674 | 1.2 | 0.4 |
| 11 | 6,232 | 1.7 | 0.4 |
| 12 | 4,654 | 1.6 | 0.5 |
| 13 | 3,306 | 1.2 | 0.5 |
| 14 | 2,995 | 0.9 | 0.6 |
| 15 | 3,678 | 1.1 | 0.6 |
| 16 | 4,607 | 1.0 | 0.6 |
| 17 | 5,347 | 1.0 | 0.6 |
| 18 | 5,311 | 1.0 | 0.5 |
| 19* | 3,878 | 1.4 | 0.5 |
| 20* | 2,282 | 1.1 | 0.4 |
All first-use years of the BMW 6 Series pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.
What fails in the road wheels at 9 years
Fails
- Road wheel condition: fractured: 0.6 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.0. Road wheel fractured MOT fail
- Road wheel attachment: fixing missing: 0.5 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.3. Replace missing wheel nut or bolt: estimated £10–£59 (0.1–0.5 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £2–£20) Road wheel fixing missing MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Road wheel condition: slightly distorted: 0.8 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.7. Road wheel slightly distorted MOT advisory
Replace missing wheel nut or bolt cost
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying a BMW 6 Series? Check that exact car before the viewing.
Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.
- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
By engine and fuel
- 3.0 diesel: 1.1 per 100 at 9 years, about average for diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 7,329 MOT tests)
How to check on a test drive
Look for cracked or badly kerbed rims and check that every wheel nut is present; a vibration through the wheel at speed points to a bent rim or balance.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Road wheel condition: slightly distorted.
Check one BMW 6 Series, not the average
The figures here describe BMW 6 Series cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a BMW 6 Series's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other BMW 6 Series problems
- BMW 6 Series suspension problems
- BMW 6 Series brakes problems
- BMW 6 Series lights and electrics problems
- BMW 6 Series steering problems
- BMW 6 Series body and structure problems
- BMW 6 Series exhaust, emissions and leaks problems
- BMW 6 Series seat belts and airbags problems
- BMW 6 Series windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems
- BMW 6 Series tyres problems
Road wheels on rival models
- Audi TT road wheels problems: 0.2 per 100 MOT tests at 9 years, against 1.1 for the BMW 6 Series (28,317 MOT tests)
- Volkswagen Scirocco road wheels problems: 0.7 per 100 MOT tests at 9 years, against 1.1 for the BMW 6 Series (19,080 MOT tests)
- Mercedes-Benz SLK road wheels problems: 0.3 per 100 MOT tests at 9 years, against 1.1 for the BMW 6 Series (15,740 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the BMW 6 Series have more road wheels problems than other cars?
1.1 in 100 MOT tests at 9 years, against 0.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 7,945 MOT tests).
How common are BMW 6 Series road wheels problems?
1.1 in 100 MOT tests at 9 years failed on road wheels, against 0.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 7,945 MOT tests).
What is the most common BMW 6 Series road wheels fail?
0.6 in 100 MOT tests at 9 years: Road wheel condition: fractured (44 MOT tests with it).
At what age do BMW 6 Series road wheels fails start?
15 years: from then on the rate stays clear of 1.2 times all class 4 vehicles the same age at every age seen, 25,103 MOT tests.
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 89,667 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare