BMW 6 Series reliability, MPG and running costs
Figures updated
The BMW 6 Series is a executive car. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 158 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 49 of 442, and 20.6% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is coil spring (2.7% of tests).
Ranked 49 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League, and 2 of 16 executive cars
In 2024, 22,062 BMW 6 Serieses aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 20.6% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the BMW 6 Series is 37% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage.
First-time fail rate
20.6%
UK 28.5%
Fail rate at 3 years
–
UK 12.7%
Average miles a year
8,200
Typical age at test: 10 years
BMW 6 Series MOT failure rate by age
Most common BMW 6 Series MOT faults
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7% of tests
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed2.4% of tests
- Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.9% of tests
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.7% of tests
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5% of tests
- Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.1% of tests
What the BMW 6 Series fails on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 8.0% | ▲ 1.1× as often |
| Suspension | 5.7% | ▼ 48% less often |
| Lights and electrics | 4.5% | ▼ 67% less often |
| Visibility | 2.7% | ▼ 47% less often |
| Brakes | 2.7% | ▼ 67% less often |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.7% | ▼ 57% less often |
| Wheels | 1.2% | ▲ 2.7× as often |
| Steering | 1.1% | ▼ 56% less often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.0% | ▼ 20% less often |
| Body and structure | 0.6% | ▼ 86% less often |
What MPG does the BMW 6 Series do?
Official economy for the BMW 6 Series ranges from 18.6 to 57.6mpg across the 143 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2004–2018). A typical petrol version manages 35.8mpg and a typical diesel 51.4mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
Work out a journey's fuel costHow much is road tax on a BMW 6 Series?
Any BMW 6 Series first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A BMW 6 Series registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £170 to £790 a year.
Work out tax for a specific carBMW 6 Series specs and running costs
Official figures for 143 versions sold in the UK between 2004 and 2018.
Fuel types
Diesel, Petrol
Official economy
18.6–57.6 mpg
CO2
129–366 g/km
| Version | Fuel | Economy | CO2 | Car tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Series Coupé F13, From March 2011 640d - 18'' tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 52.3 mpg | 143g | £200 |
| 6 Series Coupé F13, From March 2011 640d - 19'' & 20'' tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 51.4 mpg | 147g | £200 |
| 6 Series Convertible F12, From March 2011 640d - 18'' tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 50.4 mpg | 149g | £200 |
| 6 Series Convertible F12, From March 2011 640d - 19'' & 20'' tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 48.7 mpg | 153g | £200 |
| 6 Series Gran Coupé F06, From March 2015 640d - 18'' tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 51.4 mpg | 147g | £200 |
| 6 Series Gran Coupé F06, From March 2015 640d - 19'' & 20'' tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 49.6 mpg | 152g | £200 |
| 6 Series Gran Turismo G32, From July 2017 630d 18'' standard tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 57.6 mpg | 129g | £200 |
| 6 Series Gran Turismo G32, From July 2017 630d xDrive 18'' standard tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 49.6 mpg | 150g | £200 |
| 6 Series Gran Turismo G32, From July 2017 630d 18'', 19'', 20'' run flat tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 55.4 mpg | 135g | £200 |
| 6 Series Gran Turismo G32, From July 2017 630d xDrive 18'', 19'', 20'' run flat tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Diesel | 47.9 mpg | 154g | £200 |
| 6 Series Coupé F13, From March 2011 640i - 18'' tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 37.2 mpg | 176g | £200 |
| 6 Series Coupé F13, From March 2011 640i - 19'' & 20'' tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 36.7 mpg | 180g | £200 |
| 6 Series Coupé F13, From March 2011 650i - all tyre sizesA8 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 32.1 mpg | 206g | £200 |
| 6 Series Coupé F13, From March 2011 M6DCT7 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 28.5 mpg | 231g | £200 |
| 6 Series Convertible F12, From March 2011 640i - 18'' tyresA8 · listed 2018 | Petrol | 36.7 mpg | 179g | £200 |
Economy and CO2 are official NEDC (before 2018) or WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Showing the 15 most recent of 143 versions.
What a BMW 6 Series costs to fuel
- petrol, typical official 35.8mpg…
- diesel, typical official 51.4mpg…
Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.
Work out a journey in a BMW 6 SeriesBuying a used BMW 6 Series?
Check the MOT history of the exact car: every result, advisory and mileage reading, free.
Compare the BMW 6 Series with other executive cars
Reliability, economy, car tax and running costs side by side.
Other BMW models
Frequently asked questions
›Is the BMW 6 Series reliable?
Its MOT record is better than average: the BMW 6 Series is 37% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 158 in our 2024 league (100 is average).
›What are common problems with the BMW 6 Series?
The most common MOT fault is “Coil spring: fractured or broken”, found in 2.7% of tests. It fails on wheels more often than similar cars.
›What MPG does the BMW 6 Series do?
Official economy for the BMW 6 Series ranges from 18.6 to 57.6mpg across the 143 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2004–2018). A typical petrol version manages 35.8mpg and a typical diesel 51.4mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
›How much is road tax on a BMW 6 Series?
Any BMW 6 Series first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A BMW 6 Series registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £170 to £790 a year.
›How many BMW 6 Serieses fail their MOT?
20.6% of BMW 6 Serieses aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024.
Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the BMW 6 Series combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.