Used car guide

2021 BMW X6 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol BMW X6 first registered in 2021 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 442 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 442 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

442MOTs of 2021 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
85%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
8,000typical miles a year
25%had tyres flagged

Common 2021 BMW X6 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 BMW X6 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    25% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Brakes
    3% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Lights and electrics
    2% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    1% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 BMW X6 petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW X6?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the BMW X6 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
20221,035Tyres 23%
20203,163Tyres 23%
20191,969Tyres 23%
20186,241Tyres 25%
20174,116Tyres 25%
20165,358Tyres 26%
20153,777Tyres 26%
20143,974Tyres 30%
20133,503Tyres 30%
20123,106Tyres 30%
20112,171Tyres 27%
20102,175Suspension 30%
20092,581Suspension 32%
20081,250Suspension 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW X6 cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score