BMW 6 Series
Registered from 1990 to 2026.
About this model
The BMW 6 Series is a range of grand tourers produced by BMW since 1976. It is the successor to the E9 Coupé and is currently in its fourth generation.
From the Wikipedia article BMW 6 Series, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2013 3.0 diesel. 365 of 2,277 tests failed, 16%.
Better than 68% of 2013 cars. The typical one fails 19%, across 828 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 49% | 179 |
| Suspension | 36% | 130 |
| Visibility | 12% | 42 |
| Brakes | 7% | 27 |
| Lights and electrics | 7% | 27 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 6% | 23 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Where it stands out against its peers
- Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 92% of 2013 cars — 49% of its 365 failed tests, where an ordinary 2013 car has 29%.
- Seat belts and airbags: failed more often than 94% of 2013 cars — 6% of its 365 failed tests, where an ordinary 2013 car has 1%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 49% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Suspension — 36% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Brakes — 7% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 7% of its failures
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- Visibility — 12% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Seat belts and airbags — 6% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 140–160k miles this one fails 18% of its inspections, against the 24% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 9% | 12% | 89 | |
| 40–60k miles | 17% | 16% | 306 | |
| 60–80k miles | 14% | 20% | 553 | |
| 80–100k miles | 17% | 22% | 635 | |
| 100–120k miles | 16% | 24% | 399 | |
| 120–140k miles | 21% | 24% | 179 | |
| 140–160k miles | 18% | 24% | 65 |
2,226 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 80k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.0 diesel · 187 hp · 1918 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 6.5 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 2.0 diesel · 186 hp · 1905 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 6.6 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 3.0 diesel · 273 hp · 1958 kg · 3065 mm wheelbase · 7.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 3.0 diesel · 275 hp · 1948 kg · 3037 mm wheelbase · 5.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 3.0 diesel · 308 hp · 1937 kg · 2914 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 3.0 diesel · 308 hp · 1937 kg · 2916 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 3.0 diesel · 308 hp · 1939 kg · 2914 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 3.0 diesel · 308 hp · 1935 kg · 2908 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 3.0 diesel · 308 hp · 1854 kg · 2903 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00184/24
Due to a manufacturing error, the weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit (ITCU) may not have been correctly executed. As a result, transmission oil could leak into the ITCU, causing it to fail. This may lead to transmission seizure, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0028/14
The universal joint of the drive shaft may break and cause a sudden loss of drive. The rotating drive shaft may also cause damage.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00783/23
The airbag propellant may deteriorate over time, and If deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00868/23
The airbag may deteriorate over time, and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01981/24
A seam on the inflator housing of the driver airbag may not have been correctly welded. In case of accident, when the airbag is deployed, the inflator can burst, releasing metal parts which could cause injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0202/17
The universal joint of the drive shaft might break, causing a sudden loss of propulsion.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/02573/24
The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/02833/24
The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
4 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.