Front control arm bushes
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Shimmy under braking
Fix: Replace bushes / arms
€250–600
Common faults, service intervals and costs
BMW 6 Series (F12)
2011–2018
3
engines covered
16
known faults
14,488
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The BMW 6 Series (F12) was built from 2011 to 2018.
For this generation we cover 3 engines and 16 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Valve stem seals — oil consumption (N63, to 2013): it usually appears at 60,000–160,000 km and costs €2,500–5,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 100–150 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (10.5 %), lights, wipers and visibility (4.8 %), suspension (4.3 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: tyres and wheels. It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 turbo petrol (BMW N55) | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 / 0W-40 · BMW LL-01 · ~6.5 L · every 10,000 km |
| 4.4 V8 twin-turbo (BMW N63) | Petrol | Chain | 0W-30 / 5W-30 · BMW LL-01 / LL-04 · ~8.5–10 L · every 15,000 km |
| 3.0d (BMW N57) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~6.5 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Run-flat tyres (harsh, expensive)
usually 0–300,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Harsh ride; expensive to replace
Fix: Budget accordingly
free / recall
Transfer case actuator motor (xDrive)
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: 4x4 / DSC warning lights, grinding
Fix: Replace actuator motor / gear
€150–500
Faults by engine
3.0 turbo petrol (BMW N55)
Electric water pump / thermostat
usually 80,000–150,000 km · High risk
Signs: Overheating warning without early signs
Fix: Replace pump and thermostat
€700–1,200
Oil filter housing & valve cover gaskets
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil smell, drips on the belt
Fix: Replace gaskets
€300–700
VANOS solenoids
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle, cam timing codes
Fix: Clean or replace
€150–400
Charge pipe crack
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Sudden power loss, whoosh
Fix: Replace with an aluminium pipe
€150–350
4.4 V8 twin-turbo (BMW N63)
Valve stem seals — oil consumption (N63, to 2013)
usually 60,000–160,000 km · High risk
model years 2008–2013 only
Signs: Blue smoke after idling, a litre of oil every 1,000–2,000 km
Fix: Replace the valve stem seals (BMW ran a customer care programme for early engines)
€2,500–5,000
Timing chain stretch (N63, to 2013)
usually 80,000–180,000 km · High risk
model years 2008–2013 only
Signs: Rattle on a cold start, timing fault codes
Fix: Replace the chains, guides and tensioners
€2,500–4,500
Injectors and ignition coils (V8 twin-turbo)
usually 60,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Misfire, rough cold start, smell of fuel
Fix: Replace the injectors with the latest version, plus coils and plugs
€600–2,500
Turbo coolant and oil lines leaking (engine valley)
usually 80,000–180,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Smell of coolant, low coolant warning, oil smoke from the top of the engine
Fix: Replace the lines and seals in the engine valley
€600–2,000
3.0d (BMW N57)
Timing chain wear (rear-mounted)
usually 150,000–280,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whine or rattle from the gearbox end
Fix: Replace chain (gearbox out)
€2,000–4,000
EGR cooler recall
usually 60,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2011–2017 only
Signs: Coolant leak into the EGR — fire risk
Fix: Check recall status (free)
free / recall
Vacuum pump / oil filter housing leaks
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Oil leaks
Fix: Reseal
€200–600
Gearboxes
Steptronic (ZF 6HP / 8HP)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
ZF 6HP mechatronic sleeve / fluid (2001–2012)
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
model years 2001–2012 only
Signs: Harsh or delayed shifts, 'transmission fault'
Fix: Fluid + pan filter change, mechatronic sleeve seal
€400–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 3.0 turbo petrol (BMW N55) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 10,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Automatic transmission fluidTransmission | every 90,000 km | €200–450 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 14,488 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.5 % | 1.0 % | 1.4 % | 1.1 % | 1.9 % |
| Suspension | 1.3 % | 2.1 % | 4.3 % | 6.4 % | 6.5 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.6 % | 0.9 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 9.9 % | 8.6 % | 10.5 % | 10.3 % | 11.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 2.0 % | 3.3 % | 4.8 % | 5.9 % | 4.3 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.5 % | 0.5 % | 0.4 % | 0.5 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.3 % | 0.6 % | 0.9 % | 1.1 % | 2.3 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 69 complaints.
Other generations
BMW 1 Series (E87) 2004–2011BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E88) 2007–2013BMW 1 Series (F20) 2011–2019BMW 1 Series (F40) 2019–2024BMW 3 Series (E46) 1998–2006BMW 3 Series (E90) 2005–2012BMW 3 Series (E91/E92/E93) 2005–2013BMW 3 Series (F30) 2012–2019BMW 3 Series (G20) 2019–BMW 4 Series (F32) 2013–2020BMW 5 Series (E39) 1995–2004BMW 5 Series (E60) 2003–2010BMW 5 Series (F10) 2010–2017BMW 5 Series (G30) 2017–2023BMW 5 Series (G60) 2023–BMW 3 Series (E36) 1990–2000BMW 7 Series (G11) 2015–2022
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026