BMW R100RS

980cc Petrol Class 2

#1722 of 5426 overall #64 of 109 BMWs #1043 of 2787 other bikes

87.6%

first-time pass rate

7.6%

failed outright

43,036

median miles at test

2,275

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The R100RS's first-time pass rate has fallen 7.8 points since 2005, 100.0% to 92.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the R100RS's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage R100RS passes first time 86.8% of the time; by 50k that's 84.3%.

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 R100RS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	114	32	0.8×
brakes	103	28.9	0.7×
steering and suspension	78	21.9	0.8×
tyres and wheels	23	6.5	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	17	4.8	0.8×
driving controls	10	2.8	1.9×
body and structure	6	1.7	0.5×
reg plates and vin	4	1.1	0.2×
steering	1	0.3	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 R100RS 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 R100RS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1977 (90.9% pass). Weakest: 1984 (83.1%).

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 R100RS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW R100RS reliable?

The BMW R100RS is more reliable than average for its class: 87.6% of its 2,275 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1722 of 5426 models.

What does a R100RS fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 32% of all defects recorded against failed R100RS tests.

What is the best year of R100RS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1977-registered examples do best (90.9%) and 1984 worst (83.1%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a R100RS last?

The median R100RS shows 43,036 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 84.3% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.