What are the most common problems with a BMW 6 Series?

At MOT, flexible couplings and drive shaft (cv) joints are flagged more often than on other cars the same age.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used BMW 6 Series?

Any recent work on the flexible couplings? (Flagged at MOT 50× as often on the BMW 6 Series as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 6.5× as often on the BMW 6 Series as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide · 1977–2026

BMW 6 Series common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used BMW 6 Series, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 14,747 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2015 BMW 6 Series

Too few BMW 6 Series cars first registered in 2015 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the BMW 6 Series as a whole.

1,945on the UK register at the end of 2025

Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)

What to check on a 2015 car

MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977

What usually goes wrong with a BMW 6 Series?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the BMW 6 Series in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common BMW 6 Series MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

Flexible couplings
up to 0× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2018.

Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Diesel

Flexible couplings
up to 49× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Drive shaft (CV) joints
up to 7× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2018.

Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

BMW 6 Series MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 BMW 6 Series did best (80% passed first time, 16 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2020 did worst (89%, 2 points above all 2020 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Year	Pass first time	All cars that year	MOT tests
2020	89%	87% +2	730
2019	89%	85% +4	3,162
2018	88%	83% +5	4,905
2017	85%	80% +5	767
2013	79%	67% +12	2,110
2012	80%	64% +16	1,554
2011	79%	62% +17	229 (small sample)
2009	78%	59% +19	149 (small sample)
2008	72%	57% +15	248 (small sample)
2007	72%	57% +15	254 (small sample)
2006	71%	56% +15	427 (small sample)
2005	73%	57% +16	212 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a BMW 6 Series

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

Any recent work on the flexible couplings? (Flagged at MOT 50× as often on the BMW 6 Series as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 6.5× as often on the BMW 6 Series as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW 6 Series?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score