BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ BMW/R 18 CLASSIC
Model report · 2005–2025

BMW R 18 CLASSIC

1802cc Petrol Class 2
100.0%
first-time pass rate
0.0%
failed outright
4,239
median miles at test
147
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+10.6pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2024–2025

The R 18 CLASSIC's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2024 (100.0% → 100.0%).

99%100%100%2024: 100.0% pass (56 tests)2025: 100.0% pass (89 tests)20242025

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the R 18 CLASSIC beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (SUZUKI GSX1400, SUZUKI GSX1300R, YAMAHA FJR1300A).

SUZUKI GSX1400 88.3% pass · 56.8k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI GSX1300R 86.3% pass · 48.4k tests Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA FJR1300A 90.2% pass · 27.9k tests Compare head-to-head →
YAMAHA FJR1300 87.5% pass · 25.9k tests Compare head-to-head →

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 R 18 CLASSIC.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the R 18 Classic

More BMW models

other BMW bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests
BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests
BMW S1000 90.8% pass · 64.2k tests
BMW F800 90.4% pass · 60.0k tests
BMW K SERIES 90.0% pass · 38.7k tests
BMW K1200 89.5% pass · 34.7k tests

See all BMW models →

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 2021 (100.0% pass). Weakest: 2021 (100.0%).

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.

Embed this bike

Free to embed on your site, blog or forum — a live BMW R 18 Classic reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.