BMW F650 CS

652cc Petrol Class 2

#3181 of 5426 overall #103 of 109 BMWs #2025 of 2787 other bikes

82.0%

first-time pass rate

11.4%

failed outright

13,921

median miles at test

6,137

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2017

The F650 CS's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.2 points since 2005, 81.8% to 80.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the F650 CS's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage F650 CS passes first time 89.4% of the time; by 50k that's 72.4%.

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 F650 CS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	439	33.9	1.3×
steering and suspension	282	21.8	1.2×
brakes	258	19.9	0.8×
tyres and wheels	219	16.9	1.6×
fuel and exhaust	21	1.6	0.4×
body and structure	19	1.5	0.5×
reg plates and vin	19	1.5	0.4×
drive system	17	1.3	0.4×
driving controls	15	1.2	0.9×
Items Not Tested	6	0.5	1.1×

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 F650 CS beats 2 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 F650 CS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2005 (85.9% pass). Weakest: 2002 (80.5%).

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 F650 CS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW F650 CS reliable?

The BMW F650 CS is less reliable than average for its class: 82.0% of its 6,137 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3181 of 5426 models.

What does a F650 CS fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 34% of all defects recorded against failed F650 CS tests.

What is the best year of F650 CS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2005-registered examples do best (85.9%) and 2002 worst (80.5%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a F650 CS last?

The median F650 CS shows 13,921 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 72.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.