Used car guide · 2008–2026

BMW X6 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used BMW X6, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 46,482 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2025 BMW X6

Cars registered in 2025 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the BMW X6 as a whole.

516on the UK register at the end of 2025
2028first MOT due
Dieselmost common fuel (also diesel hybrid)
What to check on a 2025 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008

What usually goes wrong with a BMW X6?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the BMW X6 in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common BMW X6 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2012.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Side repeaters

    up to 4.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

BMW X6 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 BMW X6 did best (77% passed first time, 17 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2022 did worst (86%, 3 points below all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202286%89% -31,036
202186%87% -12,016
202087%87% +03,163
201987%85% +21,969
201886%83% +36,241
201788%80% +84,116
201688%77% +115,358
201586%74% +123,777
201481%70% +113,978
201379%67% +123,507
201276%64% +123,112
201176%62% +142,171
201077%60% +172,182
200975%59% +162,592
200873%57% +161,264

Questions to ask the seller before buying a BMW X6

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

  1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the BMW X6 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the BMW X6 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the BMW X6 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW X6?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score