Is the BMW 6 Series ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 23,747 MOT tests, around 48% of BMW 6 Series still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 25% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 27%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 62% diesel, 38% petrol. Diesel 6 Series are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Petrol 6 Series are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 1989 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 48%
- Likely charged
- 25%
- Depends on the car
- 27%
- MOT tests analysed
- 23,747
Check a specific 6 Series
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
6 Series ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many 6 Series of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Likely compliant204 tested | Likely compliant42 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant769 tested | Likely compliant316 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant1,736 tested | Likely compliant626 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant1,122 tested | Likely compliant233 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant1,715 tested | Likely compliant163 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car1,790 tested | Likely compliant213 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car1,943 tested | Likely compliant106 tested |
| 2013 | Likely charged1,969 tested | Likely compliant112 tested |
| 2012 | Likely charged1,472 tested | Likely compliant143 tested |
| 2011 | Likely charged201 tested | Likely compliant447 tested |
| 2010 | Likely charged484 tested | Likely compliant88 tested |
| 2009 | Likely charged461 tested | Likely compliant159 tested |
| 2008 | Likely charged607 tested | Likely compliant569 tested |
| 2007 | Likely charged194 tested | Likely compliant1,113 tested |
| 2006 | Likely charged3 tested | Likely compliant1,535 tested |
| 2005 | Likely charged5 tested | Check Euro standard1,388 tested |
| 2004 | Likely charged1 tested | Check Euro standard1,233 tested |
| 1989 | – | Likely charged142 tested |
| 1988 | – | Likely charged87 tested |
| 1987 | – | Likely charged57 tested |
| 1986 | – | Likely charged88 tested |
| 1985 | – | Likely charged71 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the 6 Series
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (62% of 6 Series tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (38% of 6 Series tested): likely compliant from 2006; 1989 and earlier are likely to be charged.
6 Series from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (27% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or BMW can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how 6 Series fare at the MOT too: see the BMW 6 Series MOT failure rate.
Buying a used BMW 6 Series for London: what the MOT data shows
The BMW 6 Series in this data were first registered between 1985 and 2020. 2018 was the most common year, with 2,362 tests (10% of the total), and half were registered in 2013 or later.
6 Series from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 82% of the time, at an average of 70,106 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 78% of the time with 96,741 miles on average.
On a budget, the oldest diesel 6 Series likely to comply are from 2016. 1,715 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 84% of the time and averaged 59,800 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol 6 Series likely to comply are from 2006. 1,535 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 72% of the time and averaged 108,199 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the 6 Series's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were suspension: "fractured or broken" (2.3% of tests); tyres: "has ply or cords exposed" (2.2%); lights and electrics: "not working" (2.0%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 13.6% of tests.
Overall, 80% of 6 Series passed first time, well above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 81,379 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other BMW models
About this data
Based on 23,747 first MOT tests of the BMW 6 Series carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 23,747 MOT tests say about the BMW 6 Series and London's ULEZ.
Is the BMW 6 Series ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 48% of 6 Series on the road are likely compliant and 25% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol 6 Series years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol 6 Series first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel 6 Series ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel 6 Series from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific 6 Series is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
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- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 6 min readHow to check if a car has been clocked using MOT mileage historyWinding back an odometer takes minutes with a laptop, but every MOT logs the reading publicly. A step-by-step method, with worked examples, for spotting the gaps.Read the guide
Is your 6 Series ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.