BMW K75S

750cc Petrol Class 2

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

85.8%

first-time pass rate

8.3%

failed outright

47,376

median miles at test

592

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2017

The K75S's first-time pass rate has risen 12.9 points since 2006, 87.1% to 100.0%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the K75S's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage K75S passes first time 87.8% of the time; by 50k that's 85.6%.

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 K75S

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	35	33.7	0.9×
lighting and signalling	32	30.8	0.9×
steering and suspension	22	21.2	0.9×
tyres and wheels	9	8.7	0.8×
body and structure	3	2.9	1.1×
driving controls	2	1.9	1.4×
reg plates and vin	1	1	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 K75S 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 K75S.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1987 (88.5% pass). Weakest: 1989 (81.1%).

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 K75S FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW K75S reliable?

The BMW K75S is about average for its class: 85.8% of its 592 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2264 of 5426 models.

What does a K75S fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 34% of all defects recorded against failed K75S tests.

What is the best year of K75S to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1987-registered examples do best (88.5%) and 1989 worst (81.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a K75S last?

The median K75S shows 47,376 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 85.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.