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BMW X6 reliability by build year

Coverage 2008-present3 named generationsSUVDIESEL / UNKNOWN / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

BMW X6 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

BMW X6 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a BMW X6 by number plate

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on BMW X6 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW X6 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The BMW X6's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

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

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your X6's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

G

G06 (2019-present)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELUNKNOWNPETROLHYBRID ELECTRIC

9.8% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Likely between 8.0% and 12.0%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 825 MOT tests at this ageView details →
F

F16 (2014-2018)

Excellent
DIESELPETROL

11.2% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Likely between 9.2% and 13.6%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 812 MOT tests at this ageView details →
X6 E71

E71 (2008-2013)

Excellent
DIESEL

19.3% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Likely between 16.3% and 22.7%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 590 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the BMW X6.

See every build year for the BMW X6

Side-by-side

BMW X6 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
G06 (2019-present)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate9.8%likely between 8.0% and 12.0%built around 2020 (5 years old)from 825 MOT tests at this age
F16 (2014-2018)
Excellent
Excellent11.2%likely between 9.2% and 13.6%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 812 MOT tests at this age
E71 (2008-2013)
Excellent
Excellent19.3%likely between 16.3% and 22.7%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 590 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the X6, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

BMW X6 fail rate by age

This chart combines every BMW X6 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
34211.1%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
71611.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
7619.6%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,42512.7%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
1,99713.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
1,80011.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,83811.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,17314.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,61916.5%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,25018.3%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,04520.5%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
71418.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
97621.6%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
63820.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
17119.9%

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 15 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the BMW X6 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other BMW models

13th of 16

13th lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other SUVs

36th of 89

36th lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

13.7%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old BMW X6 models

These issues come from 7-year-old BMW X6 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

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

    18.6%
    Advisory: 613Fail: 22 (3% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.6%
    Advisory: 128Fail: 61 (32% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    6.2%
    Advisory: 146Fail: 11 (7% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    5.6%
    Advisory: 133Fail: 33 (20% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    4.8%
    Advisory: 130Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,997 MOT tests on 7-year-old BMW X6 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old BMW X6 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres30%
  2. Other + Tyres21%
  3. Suspension + Tyres15%
  4. Brakes + Suspension12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 369 MOT tests on BMW X6 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

83%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

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

30 recalls in all

26 of the 30 BMW X6 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 9 Critical
  • 17 more

Top concerns

  • Takata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (global VINs)
  • Check driver’s airbag for conversion Takata SDI & PSDI-5
  • The driver and front passenger airbags may deploy with too much explosive force causing sharp metal fragments to be rele

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

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the BMW X6 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 13.7% for the BMW X6, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 13.7% for the BMW X6, both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.5%, against 13.7% for the BMW X6, both built around 2018.

    4,706 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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the BMW X6 across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. It has the 13th lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 1,997 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every BMW X6 ever sold: 17,915 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 1,997 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.