BMW C1

125cc Petrol Class 1

#3950 of 5426 overall #109 of 109 BMWs #162 of 734 commuter bikes

77.7%

first-time pass rate

17.8%

failed outright

14,676

median miles at test

8,766

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The C1's first-time pass rate has risen 8.9 points since 2005, 85.1% to 94.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the C1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 73.4%

A low-mileage C1 passes first time 86.0% of the time; by 50k that's 66.7%.

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 C1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
steering and suspension	1,060	27.8	2.7×
lighting and signalling	1,011	26.5	1.8×
brakes	960	25.2	1.8×
tyres and wheels	396	10.4	2.0×
suspension	98	2.6	1.0×
lamps and reflectors	85	2.2	0.4×
Items Not Tested	79	2.1	8.7×
reg plates and vin	50	1.3	0.9×
tyres	42	1.1	0.6×
body and structure	33	0.9	0.8×

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects. "vs all bikes" is how often this model's tests record a defect in the group, as a multiple of the all-bike rate.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the C1 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).

YAMAHA YBR 125 71.0% pass · 125k tests HONDA CG125 72.2% pass · 89.3k tests HONDA CBF125 73.3% pass · 84.4k tests GILERA RUNNER 70.8% pass · 69.9k 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 C1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2003 (80.1% pass). Weakest: 2000 (74.6%).

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.

BMW C1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW C1 reliable?

The BMW C1 is more reliable than average for its class: 77.7% of its 8,766 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 73.4%. That ranks it #3950 of 5426 models.

What does a C1 fail its MOT on most?

steering and suspension — 28% of all defects recorded against failed C1 tests.

What is the best year of C1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2003-registered examples do best (80.1%) and 2000 worst (74.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a C1 last?

The median C1 shows 14,676 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 66.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.