BMW G SERIES

652cc Petrol Class 2

#1693 of 5426 overall #63 of 109 BMWs #1023 of 2787 other bikes

87.7%

first-time pass rate

6.8%

failed outright

13,870

median miles at test

4,081

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The G SERIES's first-time pass rate has risen 3.3 points since 2018, 87.9% to 91.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage G SERIES passes first time 91.6% of the time; by 50k that's 89.2%.

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 SERIES

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lamps and reflectors	154	29.4	1.7×
brakes	104	19.8	0.5×
structure and attachments	79	15.1	2.0×
tyres	66	12.6	2.0×
suspension	52	9.9	1.3×
steering	31	5.9	1.8×
Identification of the vehicle	16	3.1	1.7×
lighting and signalling	10	1.9	—
steering and suspension	6	1.1	—
drive system	6	1.1	0.1×

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 G SERIES 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 SERIES.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2008 (91.3% pass). Weakest: 2007 (85.9%).

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 SERIES FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW G SERIES reliable?

The BMW G SERIES is more reliable than average for its class: 87.7% of its 4,081 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1693 of 5426 models.

What does a G SERIES fail its MOT on most?

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

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

By first-time pass rate, 2008-registered examples do best (91.3%) and 2007 worst (85.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a G SERIES last?

The median G SERIES shows 13,870 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 89.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.