BMW HP4

999cc Petrol Class 2

#643 of 5426 overall #30 of 109 BMWs #392 of 2787 other bikes

91.2%

first-time pass rate

3.4%

failed outright

7,064

median miles at test

2,119

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2016–2025

The HP4's first-time pass rate has fallen 2.2 points since 2016, 91.9% to 89.7%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the HP4's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

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

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the HP4 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 HP4.

Pass rate by registration year

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

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

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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 #643 of 5426 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.