BMW F SERIES

652cc Petrol Class 2

#2639 of 5426 overall #93 of 109 BMWs #1659 of 2787 other bikes

84.4%

first-time pass rate

9.9%

failed outright

24,900

median miles at test

12.7k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2018–2025

The F SERIES's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2018 (84.3% → 84.6%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage F SERIES passes first time 90.3% of the time; by 50k that's 81.0%.

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 F SERIES

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	699	29	2.5×
brakes	544	22.6	0.8×
suspension	412	17.1	3.6×
structure and attachments	249	10.3	2.3×
tyres	162	6.7	1.7×
steering	161	6.7	2.7×
audible warning (Horn)	110	4.6	4.7×
lighting and signalling	26	1.1	—
Identification of the vehicle	25	1	0.9×
wheels	20	0.8	2.5×

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 F SERIES 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 F SERIES.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (91.7% pass). Weakest: 2001 (80.1%).

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 F SERIES FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW F SERIES reliable?

The BMW F SERIES is about average for its class: 84.4% of its 12,700 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2639 of 5426 models.

What does a F SERIES fail its MOT on most?

lamps and reflectors — 29% of all defects recorded against failed F SERIES tests.

What is the best year of F SERIES to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (91.7%) and 2001 worst (80.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a F SERIES last?

The median F SERIES shows 24,900 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 81.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.