BMW 650

650cc Petrol Class 2

#2411 of 5426 overall #88 of 109 BMWs #1507 of 2787 other bikes

85.3%

first-time pass rate

9.9%

failed outright

25,026

median miles at test

353

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the 650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage 650 passes first time 90.4% of the time; by 50k that's 74.3%.

First-time pass rate by odometer reading at test, 10,000-mile bands for this model. Mileage is the strongest reliability signal. See the full curve.

What fails on a 650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
brakes	19	24.7
steering and suspension	19	24.7
lighting and signalling	15	19.5
tyres and wheels	7	9.1
lamps and reflectors	5	6.5
drive system	4	5.2
body and structure	2	2.6
suspension	2	2.6
tyres	2	2.6
fuel and exhaust	2	2.6

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the 650 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests

Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the 650.

Pass rate by registration year

how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date

Best year to buy used: 1994 (80.7% pass). Weakest: 1994 (80.7%).

First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.