BMW K 1300 S

1293cc Petrol Class 2

#1047 of 5426 overall #42 of 109 BMWs #641 of 2787 other bikes

89.7%

first-time pass rate

5.4%

failed outright

14,519

median miles at test

5,743

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The K 1300 S's first-time pass rate has risen 6.2 points since 2012, 86.1% to 92.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage K 1300 S passes first time 90.7% of the time; by 50k that's 92.9%.

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 S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	128	29	0.5×
brakes	119	26.9	0.4×
tyres and wheels	101	22.9	0.7×
steering and suspension	52	11.8	0.3×
reg plates and vin	23	5.2	0.6×
driving controls	5	1.1	0.4×
fuel and exhaust	5	1.1	0.1×
suspension	5	1.1	0.1×
tyres	2	0.5	0.1×
Items Not Tested	2	0.5	0.4×

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 S 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 S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2013 (92.8% pass). Weakest: 2010 (88.3%).

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 S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW K 1300 S reliable?

The BMW K 1300 S is more reliable than average for its class: 89.7% of its 5,743 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1047 of 5426 models.

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

lighting and signalling — 29% of all defects recorded against failed K 1300 S tests.

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

By first-time pass rate, 2013-registered examples do best (92.8%) and 2010 worst (88.3%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a K 1300 S last?

The median K 1300 S shows 14,519 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 92.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.