BMW F650 GS

652cc Petrol Class 2

#2230 of 5426 overall #79 of 109 BMWs #1380 of 2787 other bikes

85.9%

first-time pass rate

8.5%

failed outright

15,252

median miles at test

31.5k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The F650 GS's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2005 (86.7% → 87.6%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage F650 GS passes first time 91.1% of the time; by 50k that's 77.4%.

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 GS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	1,269	25.8	0.8×
steering and suspension	1,260	25.6	1.1×
brakes	1,150	23.3	0.7×
tyres and wheels	457	9.3	0.6×
drive system	441	8.9	1.4×
driving controls	123	2.5	1.6×
reg plates and vin	73	1.5	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	56	1.1	0.1×
suspension	51	1	0.2×
body and structure	48	1	0.3×

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 GS 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 F650 GS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (92.4% pass). Weakest: 1994 (69.0%).

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 GS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW F650 GS reliable?

The BMW F650 GS is about average for its class: 85.9% of its 31,473 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2230 of 5426 models.

What does a F650 GS fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 26% of all defects recorded against failed F650 GS tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (92.4%) and 1994 worst (69.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a F650 GS last?

The median F650 GS shows 15,252 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 77.4% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.