BMW GS1200

1200cc Petrol Class 2

#297 of 5426 overall #17 of 109 BMWs #184 of 2787 other bikes

93.0%

first-time pass rate

4.3%

failed outright

23,270

median miles at test

727

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2011–2024

The GS1200's first-time pass rate has risen 1.2 points since 2011, 92.1% to 93.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the GS1200's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GS1200 passes first time 94.4% of the time; by 40k that's 93.2%.

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 GS1200

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	16	42.1	0.4×
tyres and wheels	6	15.8	0.4×
lighting and signalling	6	15.8	0.2×
steering and suspension	2	5.3	0.1×
lamps and reflectors	2	5.3	0.1×
tyres	2	5.3	0.4×
steering	1	2.6	0.3×
driving controls	1	2.6	0.6×
audible warning (Horn)	1	2.6	0.8×
structure and attachments	1	2.6	0.2×

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 GS1200 beats 4 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 GS1200.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (94.9% pass). Weakest: 2006 (90.1%).

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 GS1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW GS1200 reliable?

The BMW GS1200 is more reliable than average for its class: 93.0% of its 727 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #297 of 5426 models.

What does a GS1200 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 42% of all defects recorded against failed GS1200 tests.

What is the best year of GS1200 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (94.9%) and 2006 worst (90.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a GS1200 last?

The median GS1200 shows 23,270 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 93.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.