The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.
“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.
Pass rate over time
The HP4's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.2 points since 2016, 91.9% to 89.7%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage HP4 passes first time 91.7% of the time; by 30k that's 81.1%.
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 HP4
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
39 | 35.5 | 0.9× |
| tyres |
|
13 | 11.8 | 0.8× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
13 | 11.8 | 2.7× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
12 | 10.9 | 0.1× |
| brakes |
|
11 | 10 | 0.1× |
| structure and attachments |
|
8 | 7.3 | 0.5× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
5 | 4.5 | 0.4× |
| suspension |
|
4 | 3.6 | 0.3× |
| steering |
|
3 | 2.7 | 0.3× |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
2 | 1.8 | 0.5× |
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
On first-time pass rate the HP4 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).
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 HP4.
Compare with any bike
More BMW models
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2013 (91.9% pass). Weakest: 2014 (90.4%).
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 HP4 FAQ
Is the BMW HP4 reliable?
The BMW HP4 is more reliable than average for its class: 91.2% of its 2,119 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #645 of 5428 models.
What does a HP4 fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors — 35% of all defects recorded against failed HP4 tests.
How many miles will a HP4 last?
The median HP4 shows 7,064 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 81.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.
Embed this bike
Free to embed on your site, blog or forum — a live BMW HP4 reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.