Used car guide

2018 BMW 6 Series: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW 6 Series first registered in 2018: we looked at the 1,621 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

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

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 BMW 6 Series?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 BMW 6 Series 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.

Common 2018 BMW 6 Series MOT failures and advisories

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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 BMW 6 Series

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

  1. Any recent work on the flexible couplings? (Flagged at MOT 53× as often on the 2018 BMW 6 Series as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2018 BMW 6 Series as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW 6 Series?

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 6 Series compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2020239Tyres 24%
20191,045Tyres 21%
2017252Tyres 23%
2016–Too few tests
2015–Too few tests
2014–Too few tests
2013679Tyres 27%
2012488Tyres 24%
2011–Too few tests
2010–Too few tests
2009–Too few tests
2008–Too few tests
2007–Too few tests
2006137Tyres 36%
2005–Too few tests
2004–Too few tests
2003–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1977–Too few tests

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