BMW 6 Series coupe (2012-2018) - Reliability & safety

Brand’s strong reliability and safety record helps the BMW 6 Series coupe to excel

Carbuyer Rating

3.5 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.1 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Reliability & safety Rating

4.0 out of 5

Reliability and safety are important areas, and BMW as a brand and the 6 Series as a model have both fared well, building on a strong reputation for quality cars and safety. A vast array of tech is on offer to help owners in almost any situation and the number of airbags and standard safety equipment means occupants will remain well protected. The brand scores well for overall manufacturer satisfaction.

It’s a shame about the sub-par service buyers seem to receive at the dealerships, as the Driver Power survey also pointed out holes in the standard of care that owners receive when visiting a main BMW dealer.

BMW 6 Series coupe reliability

BMW came 14th in our 2015 Driver Power manufacturer survey, which bodes relatively well for 6 Series reliability. Generally, the brand has a good reputation for building solid vehicles, so this should remain the case for the 6 Series. The only bone of contention may be the level of service drivers could receive at a dealership, as the Driver Power survey also highlighted that BMW dealer satisfaction was in the bottom half of the rankings.

Safety

Safety should also be a 6 Series strong point, and the car comes with an impressive range of features and standard equipment. They include cameras for aiding visibility at junctions, BMW Night Vision that detects and alerts you to pedestrians on the road up to 300 meters away, and a head-up display that projects vital information, such as speed, onto the windscreen. The latter means the driver never needs never take their eyes off the road.

Optional safety kit includes Driving Assisant Plus, a camera and radar-based intelligent connected-car system incorporating Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Departure Warning, and Pedestrian and Collision Warning with Braking. It automatically maintains a safe gap to the car in front, alerts a 6 Series driver whose actions might cause a collision and, at up to 37mph, brakes the car to a standstill if there is a risk of an impact with a pedestrian.

The BMW also offers numerous airbags, plus stability and traction control systems across the range. The only thing the 6 Series is lacking is an official Euro NCAP rating but that’s because it’s not sold in sufficient numbers to be tested, not because it’s unsafe.

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Most Popular

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light
Engine warning light
Tips and advice
1 Dec 2023

Engine management light: top 5 causes of amber engine warning light

Tesla Cybertruck finally delivered: specs, prices and UK availability
Tesla Cybertruck side view
News
1 Dec 2023

Tesla Cybertruck finally delivered: specs, prices and UK availability

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
1 Dec 2023

Best new car deals 2023: this week’s top car offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
20 Apr 2023

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
12 Apr 2023

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors 2022
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors 2022

Top 10 best electric cars 2023
The best electric cars 2023
Best cars
15 Nov 2023

Top 10 best electric cars 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
17 May 2023

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
18 Aug 2023

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2023