BMW K SERIES

1171cc Petrol Class 2

#959 of 5426 overall #40 of 109 BMWs #589 of 2787 other bikes

90.0%

first-time pass rate

6.6%

failed outright

31,603

median miles at test

38.7k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2018–2025

The K SERIES's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2018 (90.0% → 89.8%).

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage K SERIES passes first time 91.4% of the time; by 50k that's 86.9%.

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 SERIES

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	1,405	33	0.6×
lamps and reflectors	985	23.1	1.2×
suspension	622	14.6	1.9×
tyres	569	13.4	2.0×
structure and attachments	216	5.1	0.8×
steering	160	3.8	0.9×
audible warning (Horn)	86	2	1.2×
Identification of the vehicle	84	2	0.9×
lighting and signalling	69	1.6	—
steering and suspension	65	1.5	—

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 K SERIES 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 SERIES.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2014 (94.5% pass). Weakest: 1983 (83.1%).

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 SERIES FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW K SERIES reliable?

The BMW K SERIES is more reliable than average for its class: 90.0% of its 38,742 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #959 of 5426 models.

What does a K SERIES fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 33% of all defects recorded against failed K SERIES tests.

What is the best year of K SERIES to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 2014-registered examples do best (94.5%) and 1983 worst (83.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a K SERIES last?

The median K SERIES shows 31,603 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 86.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.