Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2007.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 M6 | 1 | 2 |
| 2016 M6 | 4 | 1 |
| 2015 M6 | 0 | 2 |
| 2014 M6 | 5 | 1 |
| 2013 M6 | 2 | 2 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 | 1 |
| 2007 M6 | 7 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 |
| 1988 | 2 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Steering7
- Electrical system7
- Air bags6
- Structure5
- Power train5
- Engine5
- Seats3
- Vehicle speed control2
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 7 model-year variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2019 BMW M6 4 DR RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2018 | 2018 BMW M6 4 DR RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2017 | 2017 BMW M6 2 DR RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2016 | 2016 BMW M6 2 DR RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2015 | 2015 BMW M6 2 DR RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2014 | 2014 BMW M6 2 DR RWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2013 | 2013 BMW M6 2 DR RWD | — | 0.0 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 11 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 12.8–16.6 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | M6 Gran Coupe · Compact · Premium gasoline | 17.3 | 11.6 | 14.7 |
| 2018 | M6 Cabriolet · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 16.2 | 10.9 | 13.8 |
| 2017 | M6 · Compact · Premium gasoline | 16.2 | 10.9 | 13.8 |
| 2016 | M6 · Compact · Premium gasoline | 16.1 | 10.9 | 13.7 |
| 2015 | M6 Cabriolet · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 16.1 | 10.8 | 13.7 |
| 2014 | M6 · Compact · Premium gasoline | 16.2 | 10.9 | 13.8 |
| 2013 | M6 Cabriolet · Compact · Premium gasoline | 14.9 | 10.2 | 12.8 |
| 2010 | M6 Cabriolet · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 19.9 | 12.7 | 16.6 |
| 2009 | M6 Cabriolet · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 19.9 | 12.7 | 16.6 |
| 2008 | M6 Cabriolet · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 19.9 | 12.7 | 16.6 |
| 2007 | M6 Cabriolet · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 19.9 | 12.7 | 16.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
122 M6 cars are on the New Zealand register; 54% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2016 | 7 | 2 | 5 |
| 2015 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| 2013 | 14 | 7 | 5 |
| 2012 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| 2010 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2009 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2007 | 22 | 6 | 14 |
| 2006 | 33 | 16 | 15 |
| 2005 | 13 | 6 | 7 |
| 1987 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1984 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
253 M6 cars are on Dutch roads; 64% arrived later as imports, and 47 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 24 | €202,140 |
| 2014 | 47 | €197,167 |
| 2013 | 71 | €181,704 |
| 2007 | 41 | €171,018 |
| 2006 | 45 | €165,279 |
| 2005 | 25 | €167,058 |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
26 M6 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 100% petrol, 0% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 8 | 123,000 km |
| 2006 | 12 | 140,000 km |
| 2005 | 6 | 116,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
In the United Kingdom
1,083 M6 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 52 | 5 |
| 2017 | 126 | 13 |
| 2016 | 169 | 34 |
| 2015 | 187 | 25 |
| 2014 | 145 | 45 |
| 2013 | 96 | 29 |
| 2012 | 37 | 18 |
| 2011 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 | 7 |
| 2009 | 20 | 2 |
| 2008 | 17 | 19 |
| 2007 | 32 | 38 |
| 2006 | 63 | 82 |
| 2005 | 82 | 99 |
| 2004 | 0 | 1 |
| 1990 | 4 | 4 |
| 1989 | 7 | 32 |
| 1988 | 2 | 26 |
| 1987 | 10 | 22 |
| 1986 | 12 | 51 |
| 1985 | 17 | 71 |
| 1984 | 1 | 1 |
| 1982 | 0 | 1 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
1,147 M6 cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 87% passed first time, against 72% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 154 | 92% |
| 2016 | 207 | 91% |
| 2015 | 217 | 85% |
| 2014 | 210 | 89% |
| 2013 | 130 | 82% |
| 2006 | 106 | 86% |
| 2005 | 123 | 84% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | M6 | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 4.9% | 6.6% |
| Suspension | 2.3% | 8.6% |
| Visibility | 2.0% | 4.6% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1.9% | 10.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.7% | 3.0% |
| Brakes | 1.6% | 6.8% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.0% | 0.3% |
| Steering | 0.4% | 1.8% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
4,165 new BMW M6 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2021, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2021 the largest markets were Germany (1).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 295 (NEDC) |
| 2018 | 130 | 237 (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 428 | 234 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 629 | — |
| 2015 | 636 | — |
| 2014 | 830 | — |
| 2013 | 876 | — |
| 2012 | 498 | — |
| 2011 | 8 | — |
| 2010 | 127 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the M6 in 4 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The screw connection of the third brake light may not be sufficiently secure.As a result, the brake light may become detached in motion, posing a risk to the following traffic.
The battery positive (B+) transfer point in the boot may corrode. This can result in increased contact resistance, potentially leading to malfunction of the power supply and increased risk of fire.
The housing of the driver’s front airbag inflator may have been incorrectly welded. In the event of a crash with airbag activation, the inflator may consequently rupture. Metal fragments created as a result could pass through the airbag, causing fatal injuries…
The side, head and knee protection airbags of the front passenger seat may not work. This could increase the risk of injury to the occupant in the event of an accident.
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
6 campaigns cover the M6.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2019 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles. The third brake light may become loose, possibly allowing the light to detach from the vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, and M6 Convertible vehicles and 2013 M6 Coupe vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver's frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 BMW M5 sedans manufactured September 4, 2014, through December 4, 2014, 2015 M6 coupes manufactured September 3, 2014, through December 3, 2014, 2015 M6 convertibles manufactured September 8, 2014, through December 4, 2014, and 2015 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles manufactured September3, 2014, through December 4, 2014. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft that may have been inadequately welded during manufacturing.
BMW is recalling certain model year 2013 M5, M6 Coupe, and M6 Convertible vehicles, manufactured from July 19, 2012, through September 11, 2012. Due to a manufacturing process error, the tolerance between the engine oil pump's drive shaft and the pump's rotor was not within specification. As a result, the pump's driveshaft could separate from the rotor.
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
NHTSA recalls