Pass rate over time
The K 1300 GT's first-time pass rate has risen 4.1 points since 2012, 91.2% to 95.3%.
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage K 1300 GT passes first time 95.4% of the time; by 50k that's 82.9%.
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 1300 GT
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
61 | 30.8 | 0.5× |
| brakes |
|
54 | 27.3 | 0.4× |
| steering and suspension |
|
43 | 21.7 | 0.4× |
| tyres and wheels |
|
35 | 17.7 | 0.6× |
| fuel and exhaust |
|
1 | 0.5 | — |
| reg plates and vin |
|
1 | 0.5 | 0.1× |
| driving controls |
|
1 | 0.5 | 0.1× |
| tyres |
|
1 | 0.5 | 0.1× |
| body and structure |
|
1 | 0.5 | 0.1× |
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 K 1300 GT beats 4 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 K 1300 GT.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2010 (94.0% pass). Weakest: 2011 (92.0%).
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 1300 GT FAQ
Is the BMW K 1300 GT reliable?
The BMW K 1300 GT is more reliable than average for its class: 93.0% of its 2,856 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #297 of 5426 models.
What does a K 1300 GT fail its MOT on most?
lighting and signalling — 31% of all defects recorded against failed K 1300 GT tests.
What is the best year of K 1300 GT to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (94.0%) and 2011 worst (92.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a K 1300 GT last?
The median K 1300 GT shows 18,363 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 82.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.