BMW K1

987cc Petrol Class 2

#1269 of 5426 overall #52 of 109 BMWs #775 of 2787 other bikes

89.0%

first-time pass rate

7.9%

failed outright

32,275

median miles at test

1,732

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2025

The K1's first-time pass rate has risen 6.6 points since 2006, 91.3% to 97.9%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the K1's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage K1 passes first time 94.9% of the time; by 50k that's 88.2%.

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 K1

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	71	28.5	0.7×
lighting and signalling	58	23.3	0.5×
steering and suspension	57	22.9	0.9×
tyres and wheels	19	7.6	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	15	6	0.4×
suspension	8	3.2	0.5×
body and structure	8	3.2	0.8×
reg plates and vin	7	2.8	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	3	1.2	0.2×
audible warning (Horn)	3	1.2	0.9×

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 K1 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 K1.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1989 (91.7% pass). Weakest: 1991 (86.9%).

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 K1 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW K1 reliable?

The BMW K1 is more reliable than average for its class: 89.0% of its 1,732 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1269 of 5426 models.

What does a K1 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 29% of all defects recorded against failed K1 tests.

What is the best year of K1 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1989-registered examples do best (91.7%) and 1991 worst (86.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a K1 last?

The median K1 shows 32,275 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 88.2% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.