BMW R100R

980cc Petrol Class 2

#1910 of 5426 overall #69 of 109 BMWs #1155 of 2787 other bikes

87.0%

first-time pass rate

6.1%

failed outright

32,023

median miles at test

2,373

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The R100R's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.4 points since 2005, 97.6% to 90.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the R100R's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage R100R passes first time 92.9% of the time; by 50k that's 83.9%.

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 R100R

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	79	29.7	0.6×
brakes	63	23.7	0.4×
steering and suspension	39	14.7	0.5×
tyres and wheels	39	14.7	0.8×
fuel and exhaust	14	5.3	0.8×
driving controls	11	4.1	2.0×
reg plates and vin	8	3	0.4×
sidecar	7	2.6	42.1×
body and structure	4	1.5	0.3×
lamps and reflectors	2	0.8	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 R100R beats 2 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 R100R.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1981 (89.9% pass). Weakest: 1979 (82.1%).

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 R100R FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW R100R reliable?

The BMW R100R is more reliable than average for its class: 87.0% of its 2,373 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1910 of 5426 models.

What does a R100R fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 30% of all defects recorded against failed R100R tests.

What is the best year of R100R to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1981-registered examples do best (89.9%) and 1979 worst (82.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a R100R last?

The median R100R shows 32,023 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 83.9% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.