BMW GS650

650cc Petrol Class 2

83.4%

first-time pass rate

10.2%

failed outright

17,217

median miles at test

187

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

how the GS650's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage GS650 passes first time 92.9% of the time; by 20k that's 82.4%.

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 GS650

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
steering and suspension	7	25.9
brakes	5	18.5
lighting and signalling	4	14.8
lamps and reflectors	3	11.1
structure and attachments	2	7.4
tyres and wheels	2	7.4
wheels	2	7.4
drive system	1	3.7
tyres	1	3.7

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the GS650 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 GS650.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2011 (79.2% pass). Weakest: 2011 (79.2%).

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.