BMW G 650

652cc Petrol Class 2

#1937 of 5426 overall #71 of 109 BMWs #1173 of 2787 other bikes

86.9%

first-time pass rate

7.3%

failed outright

9,111

median miles at test

1,466

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2025

The G 650's first-time pass rate has risen 3.4 points since 2016, 80.6% to 84.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage G 650 passes first time 90.1% of the time; by 30k that's 87.7%.

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 G 650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	39	25	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	29	18.6	1.1×
structure and attachments	26	16.7	1.5×
tyres	16	10.3	1.4×
steering	14	9	2.0×
suspension	12	7.7	1.1×
steering and suspension	6	3.8	0.1×
lighting and signalling	6	3.8	0.1×
Identification of the vehicle	4	2.6	1.2×
drive system	4	2.6	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 G 650 beats 4 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 G 650.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (91.8% pass). Weakest: 2011 (77.7%).

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.

BMW G 650 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW G 650 reliable?

The BMW G 650 is more reliable than average for its class: 86.9% of its 1,466 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1937 of 5426 models.

What does a G 650 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 25% of all defects recorded against failed G 650 tests.

What is the best year of G 650 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (91.8%) and 2011 worst (77.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a G 650 last?

The median G 650 shows 9,111 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 87.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.