BMW K1100

1092cc Petrol Class 2

#3219 of 5426 overall #104 of 109 BMWs #2047 of 2787 other bikes

81.8%

first-time pass rate

12.9%

failed outright

50,260

median miles at test

5,401

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2017

The K1100's first-time pass rate has risen 12.8 points since 2005, 74.3% to 87.1%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the K1100's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage K1100 passes first time 79.0% of the time; by 50k that's 80.1%.

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 K1100

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	542	40.1	1.6×
steering and suspension	311	23	1.6×
lighting and signalling	280	20.7	1.0×
tyres and wheels	150	11.1	1.3×
body and structure	34	2.5	1.2×
driving controls	14	1	1.1×
fuel and exhaust	11	0.8	0.3×
Items Not Tested	5	0.4	1.0×
reg plates and vin	4	0.3	0.1×
lamps and reflectors	2	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

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the K1100 beats 0 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 K1100.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1992 (84.6% pass). Weakest: 1998 (80.2%).

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 K1100 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW K1100 reliable?

The BMW K1100 is less reliable than average for its class: 81.8% of its 5,401 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #3219 of 5426 models.

What does a K1100 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 40% of all defects recorded against failed K1100 tests.

What is the best year of K1100 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1992-registered examples do best (84.6%) and 1998 worst (80.2%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a K1100 last?

The median K1100 shows 50,260 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 80.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.