Used car guide

2018 BMW 6 Series: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 BMW 6 Seriess, from 1,621 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,621MOT tests in 2025
88%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
8,800typical miles a year
53×the usual rate for flexible couplings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 BMW 6 Seriess than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Flexible couplings53× usual
    BMW 6 Series
    5.3% All 2018 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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) joints3.5× usual
    BMW 6 Series
    3.9% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Better than most

Brake discs: 3.5% here, against 10.8% of all 2018 cars.

By area

The share of 2018 BMW 6 Series MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    21% 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.

  • Brakes
    10% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    4% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    3% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20191,045Tyres 21%
2013679Tyres 27%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 BMW 6 Seriess registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score