BMW K 1200 GT

1157cc Petrol Class 2

#587 of 5426 overall #27 of 109 BMWs #357 of 2787 other bikes

91.4%

first-time pass rate

5.4%

failed outright

21,661

median miles at test

3,876

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The K 1200 GT's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (92.7% → 93.1%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the K 1200 GT's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage K 1200 GT passes first time 93.9% of the time; by 50k that's 88.7%.

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 K 1200 GT

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	90	29.7	0.5×
steering and suspension	71	23.4	0.5×
tyres and wheels	63	20.8	0.7×
lighting and signalling	60	19.8	0.3×
driving controls	6	2	0.7×
lamps and reflectors	5	1.7	—
tyres	3	1	0.1×
suspension	2	0.7	0.1×
fuel and exhaust	2	0.7	0.1×
reg plates and vin	1	0.3	—

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 K 1200 GT 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 K 1200 GT.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2006 (93.0% pass). Weakest: 2002 (87.6%).

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 K 1200 GT FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW K 1200 GT reliable?

The BMW K 1200 GT is more reliable than average for its class: 91.4% of its 3,876 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #587 of 5426 models.

What does a K 1200 GT fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 30% of all defects recorded against failed K 1200 GT tests.

What is the best year of K 1200 GT to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2006-registered examples do best (93.0%) and 2002 worst (87.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a K 1200 GT last?

The median K 1200 GT shows 21,661 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 88.7% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.