Pass rate over time
The R nineT's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2017 (94.7% → 94.1%).
Pass rate by mileage
A low-mileage R nineT passes first time 92.7% of the time; by 40k that's 93.5%.
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 R nineT
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects | vs all bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lamps and reflectors |
|
322 | 43.2 | 0.8× |
| Identification of the vehicle |
|
114 | 15.3 | 2.6× |
| brakes |
|
114 | 15.3 | 0.1× |
| tyres |
|
82 | 11 | 0.6× |
| structure and attachments |
|
42 | 5.6 | 0.3× |
| steering |
|
20 | 2.7 | 0.2× |
| suspension |
|
17 | 2.3 | 0.1× |
| lighting and signalling |
|
17 | 2.3 | — |
| audible warning (Horn) |
|
11 | 1.5 | 0.3× |
| reg plates and vin |
|
6 | 0.8 | — |
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
On first-time pass rate the R nineT beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE, TRIUMPH SPEED TRIPLE, APRILIA TUONO).
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 nineT.
Pass rate by registration year
Best year to buy used: 2014 (94.2% pass). Weakest: 2019 (91.6%).
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 R nineT FAQ
Is the BMW R nineT reliable?
The BMW R nineT is more reliable than average for its class: 92.7% of its 18,322 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #343 of 5426 models.
What does a R nineT fail its MOT on most?
lamps and reflectors — 43% of all defects recorded against failed R nineT tests.
What is the best year of R nineT to buy used?
By first-time pass rate, 2014-registered examples do best (94.2%) and 2019 worst (91.6%). Condition and history still trump the year.
How many miles will a R nineT last?
The median R nineT shows 5,254 miles at test, and examples around 40k miles still pass 93.5% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.