The MOT Files

Motorcycle reliability file

BMW R Series MOT pass rate & common failures

From 9,797 recorded MOT tests of the BMW R Series, published by DVSA.

Data updated

Quick answer

The BMW R Series passes 91.9% of MOT tests, against 86.5% for all motorcycles. The most recorded failure is "Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm", in 13.7% of failed tests.

At a glance

Recorded pass rate

91.9%unadjusted9,797 tests

5.4 points above the fleet average of 86.5%. The examples tested do not cover a wide enough spread of ages and mileages to compare fairly against the rest of the fleet, so no rank is claimed; the failure record below stands on its own.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed BMW R Series tests in which each item was recorded. One failed test often lists several, so these do not sum to 100%.

  1. 1.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm13.7%

    71 occurrences

  2. 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements11.6%

    60 occurrences

  3. 3.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely10.1%

    52 occurrences

  4. 4.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution8.7%

    45 occurrences

  5. 5.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake7.0%

    36 occurrences

  6. 6.A lamp missing or inoperative5.0%

    26 occurrences

  7. 7.A stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released4.6%

    24 occurrences

  8. 8.Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning4.6%

    24 occurrences

  9. 9.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements3.9%

    20 occurrences

  10. 10.Projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.1%

    16 occurrences

  11. 11.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely3.1%

    16 occurrences

  12. 12.A headlamp missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED2.7%

    14 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all BMW R Series tests carrying each advisory.

  1. 1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements5.9%

    576 tests

  2. 2.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm4.3%

    420 tests

  3. 3.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution4.1%

    403 tests

  4. 4.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely2.0%

    196 tests

  5. 5.Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn2.0%

    194 tests

  6. 6.Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured1.9%

    191 tests

  7. 7.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake1.7%

    164 tests

  8. 8.A wheel bearing with excessive play1.4%

    141 tests

How wear changes the picture

R Series pass rate by age and registration year

6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201995%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201697%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201395%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier90%

What gets tested

The R Series fleet

Average mileage recorded at test
40,851
Test classes
class 2: 9,794 · class 1: 3
Names grouped into this model (1)
  • R SERIES R 1200 GS 04

Compare within the range

Other BMW motorcycles

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a BMW R Series?
91.9% unadjusted, from 9,797 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.
What does a BMW R Series fail its MOT on?
"Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm" is recorded in 13.7% of failed BMW R Series tests, followed by "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" (11.6%). One failed test often lists several items.
What mileage does a BMW R Series usually have at its MOT?
40,851 miles on average across every age tested, so a description of the fleet rather than an annual figure. Motorcycle mileages are low and vary enormously with use; a commuter bike and a weekend bike of the same age can differ by a factor of ten.

Analysis built from DVSA data of