BMW GS

1150cc Petrol Class 2

#746 of 5426 overall #34 of 109 BMWs #456 of 2787 other bikes

90.7%

first-time pass rate

4.8%

failed outright

28,252

median miles at test

1,806

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The GS's first-time pass rate has fallen 8.4 points since 2006, 92.3% to 83.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage GS passes first time 94.2% of the time; by 50k that's 86.8%.

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 GS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	45	31.7	0.4×
lamps and reflectors	32	22.5	0.7×
tyres and wheels	15	10.6	0.4×
lighting and signalling	15	10.6	0.2×
tyres	9	6.3	0.6×
suspension	8	5.6	0.6×
steering and suspension	8	5.6	0.2×
structure and attachments	4	2.8	0.2×
drive system	3	2.1	0.1×
wheels	3	2.1	2.8×

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 GS beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k 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 GS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2007 (96.2% pass). Weakest: 2012 (82.4%).

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 GS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW GS reliable?

The BMW GS is more reliable than average for its class: 90.7% of its 1,806 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #746 of 5426 models.

What does a GS fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 32% of all defects recorded against failed GS tests.

What is the best year of GS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2007-registered examples do best (96.2%) and 2012 worst (82.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GS last?

The median GS shows 28,252 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 86.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.