Skip to main content
Check

BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06 (2011-2018) reliability

At a glance

BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

13% of MOT tests on BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 13% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2011-2018CoupeDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 15,436 tests of 6 Series models registered 2011-2018.

About 1 in 30 6 Series F12/F13/F06 MOTs (3.3%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 2,424 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 6 Series F12/F13/F06 MOTs (6.1%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 2,424 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

F12/F13/F06 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
87010.8%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,42412.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
1,69112.7%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,09013.8%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
2,30317.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,36917.4%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,95618.4%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,34618.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
38718.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 13 years old.

How the 6 Series F12/F13/F06 compares

At each age below, see how the 6 Series F12/F13/F06 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 156,618 tests across 18 BMW models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateBMW average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
87010.8%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,42412.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
1,69112.7%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,09013.8%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
2,30317.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,36917.4%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,95618.4%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,34618.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
38718.9%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Drivetrain

Worth checking

Inspect the drivetrain carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 6 Series F12/F13/F06.

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    1.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 5.3%, against 12.8% for the BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06, both built around 2018.

    2,547 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Porsche Cayman

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93%

    Lower fail rate: 5.5%, against 12.8% for the BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06, both built around 2018.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Jaguar F-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.3%

    Lower fail rate: 8.6%, against 12.8% for the BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06, both built around 2018.

    2,085 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    4.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 10.4%, against 12.8% for the BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06, both built around 2018.

    6,783 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

83%of all BMW 6 Series cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

41 recalls in all

16 of the 41 6 Series F12/F13/F06 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 Critical
  • 10 more

Top concerns

  • Takata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (global VINs)
  • Check driver’s airbag for conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5
  • A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on 6 Series F12/F13/F06 cars built around 2018

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 129 cars.

Structural systems

Emissions
5%
Suspension
3%
Drivetrain
2%
Steering
1%

Wear items

Tyres
29%
Brakes
4%
Lighting
2%
How 6 Series F12/F13/F06 cars have aged

How 6 Series F12/F13/F06 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%35791113Age at MOTBuilt around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (2,124 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (1,952 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (1,819 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 12.7% (1,764 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 12.6% (1,705 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (1,039 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.3% (928 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 13.2% (878 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (856 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 14.0% (798 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.9% (1,392 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.2% (1,321 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (1,271 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 15.1% (1,220 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (1,166 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.4% (1,558 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (1,479 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (1,432 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 15.8% (1,369 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 16.5% (1,311 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (1,620 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (1,561 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (1,473 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 17.2% (1,399 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 18.2% (1,327 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.8% (1,542 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (1,421 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 18.4% (1,351 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (1,251 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 18.8% (1,225 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 18.6% (1,347 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 17.4% (1,214 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 17.8% (1,149 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 17.6% (1,052 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 18.9% (998 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 18.9% (487 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 18.3% (459 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 18.2% (418 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 19.0% (400 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 18.9% (387 tests, 2025 data)2011
First registered around 2018First registered around 2017First registered around 2016First registered around 2015
How each part holds up as F12/F13/F06 cars age

How each part holds up as F12/F13/F06 cars age

The share of diesel cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car6 years7 years8 years
Suspension2%3%3%
Brakes11%4%3%
Emissions2%5%3%
Tyres22%29%40%
Lighting4%2%4%
Drivetrain4%2%1%
SteeringNo figure1%No figure
Corrosion0%0%1%

Based on diesel cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 55 to 129 cars at each age.

F12/F13/F06 variants compared

6 Series F12/F13/F06 variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each 6 Series F12/F13/F06 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • 64014.3%976 tests
  • 6 SERIES12.3%927 tests

Petrol

  • 6 SERIES10.5%381 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on BMW 6 Series models of this age

This list covers every BMW 6 Series built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the F12/F13/F06 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    15.1%
    Advisory: 513Fail: 17 (3% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    7.2%
    Advisory: 197Fail: 15 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.1%
    Advisory: 74Fail: 122 (62% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    4.4%
    Advisory: 84Fail: 45 (35% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Prop shaft coupling slightly deteriorated

    3.8%
    Advisory: 88Fail: 6 (6% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,424 tests

Looking at a BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the BMW 6 Series F12/F13/F06 (2011-2018) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,424 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 15,436 MOT tests on BMW 6 Series models first registered between 2011-2018. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.