The MOT Files

Motorcycle reliability file

BMW R1200 MOT pass rate & common failures

From 9,571 recorded MOT tests of the BMW R1200, published by DVSA.

Data updated

Quick answer

The BMW R1200 passes 94.9% of MOT tests once adjusted for age and mileage, ranking 1 of 36 motorcycle models, against 86.5% for all motorcycles. The most recorded failure is "Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm", in 20.3% of failed tests.

At a glance

Pass rate, adjusted for age and mileage

94.9%adjusted · 94.4% raw · rank 1 of 369,571 tests

8.4 points above the fleet average of 86.5%.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed BMW R1200 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 1.0mm20.3%

    66 occurrences

  2. 2.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements17.5%

    57 occurrences

  3. 3.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely8.3%

    27 occurrences

  4. 4.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution7.7%

    25 occurrences

  5. 5.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely6.8%

    22 occurrences

  6. 6.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake5.2%

    17 occurrences

  7. 7.Brake control has insufficient reserve travel4.3%

    14 occurrences

  8. 8.A wheel bearing excessively rough4.0%

    13 occurrences

  9. 9.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements3.7%

    12 occurrences

  10. 10.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements3.4%

    11 occurrences

  11. 11.Audible warning not working3.1%

    10 occurrences

  12. 12.A wheel bearing with excessive play3.1%

    10 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all BMW R1200 tests carrying each advisory.

  1. 1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements6.0%

    575 tests

  2. 2.Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm5.0%

    479 tests

  3. 3.Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution3.3%

    313 tests

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

    152 tests

  5. 5.Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn1.2%

    116 tests

  6. 6.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements1.1%

    106 tests

  7. 7.A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely0.9%

    88 tests

  8. 8.A wheel bearing with excessive play0.9%

    82 tests

How wear changes the picture

R1200 pass rate by age and registration year

6–8 yrsreg. 2017–201996%
9–11 yrsreg. 2014–201697%
12–14 yrsreg. 2011–201394%
15+ yrsreg. 2010 and earlier92%

What gets tested

The R1200 fleet

Average mileage recorded at test
28,927
Test classes
class 2: 9,567 · class 1: 4
Names grouped into this model (4)
  • R1200 GS
  • R1200 GS ADVENTURE
  • R1200 GS LC
  • R1200 R CLASSIC

Compare within the range

Other BMW motorcycles

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a BMW R1200?
94.9% once adjusted for the age and mileage of the motorcycles tested, ranking 1 of 36 motorcycle models, from 9,571 DVSA tests. The average across all motorcycles is 86.5%.
What does a BMW R1200 fail its MOT on?
"Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm" is recorded in 20.3% of failed BMW R1200 tests, followed by "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements" (17.5%). One failed test often lists several items.
What mileage does a BMW R1200 usually have at its MOT?
28,927 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