BMW K 1300 R

1293cc Petrol Class 2

#823 of 5426 overall #36 of 109 BMWs #502 of 2787 other bikes

90.4%

first-time pass rate

5.6%

failed outright

12,609

median miles at test

1,351

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2012–2017

The K 1300 R's first-time pass rate has risen 9.0 points since 2012, 80.4% to 89.4%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the K 1300 R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage K 1300 R passes first time 91.3% of the time; by 30k that's 88.0%.

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 R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	32	29.9	0.4×
tyres and wheels	31	29	1.2×
brakes	23	21.5	0.3×
steering and suspension	16	15	0.4×
reg plates and vin	4	3.7	0.4×
driving controls	1	0.9	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 1300 R 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 1300 R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2010 (94.2% pass). Weakest: 2011 (88.0%).

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 R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW K 1300 R reliable?

The BMW K 1300 R is more reliable than average for its class: 90.4% of its 1,351 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #823 of 5426 models.

What does a K 1300 R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed K 1300 R tests.

What is the best year of K 1300 R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2010-registered examples do best (94.2%) and 2011 worst (88.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a K 1300 R last?

The median K 1300 R shows 12,609 miles at test, and examples around 30k miles still pass 88.0% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.