BMW K75

750cc Petrol Class 2

#2264 of 5426 overall #81 of 109 BMWs #1406 of 2787 other bikes

85.8%

first-time pass rate

8.8%

failed outright

50,204

median miles at test

17.5k

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2005–2025

The K75's first-time pass rate has fallen 1.5 points since 2005, 89.1% to 87.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the K75's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage K75 passes first time 85.8% of the time; by 50k that's 84.9%.

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 K75

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	946	34.2	0.9×
lighting and signalling	630	22.7	0.7×
steering and suspension	442	16	0.7×
tyres and wheels	341	12.3	0.9×
lamps and reflectors	159	5.7	0.4×
tyres	64	2.3	0.5×
driving controls	49	1.8	1.1×
fuel and exhaust	48	1.7	0.4×
body and structure	47	1.7	0.5×
suspension	44	1.6	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 K75 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 K75.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1989 (86.5% pass). Weakest: 1988 (85.1%).

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 K75 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW K75 reliable?

The BMW K75 is about average for its class: 85.8% of its 17,453 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2264 of 5426 models.

What does a K75 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 34% of all defects recorded against failed K75 tests.

What is the best year of K75 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1995-registered examples do best (86.5%) and 1993 worst (85.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a K75 last?

The median K75 shows 50,204 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 84.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.