BMW R100RT

980cc Petrol Class 2

#2230 of 5426 overall #79 of 109 BMWs #1380 of 2787 other bikes

85.9%

first-time pass rate

8.6%

failed outright

44,112

median miles at test

1,043

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The R100RT's first-time pass rate has fallen 3.7 points since 2006, 87.0% to 83.3%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the R100RT's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage R100RT passes first time 84.4% of the time; by 50k that's 84.6%.

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 R100RT

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	73	38	1.0×
brakes	48	25	0.9×
steering and suspension	41	21.4	1.0×
tyres and wheels	16	8.3	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	4	2.1	0.5×
body and structure	3	1.6	0.6×
reg plates and vin	3	1.6	0.5×
driving controls	2	1	0.8×
lamps and reflectors	1	0.5	0.1×
audible warning (Horn)	1	0.5	0.5×

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 R100RT 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 R100RT.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1983 (88.1% pass). Weakest: 1980 (81.7%).

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 R100RT FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW R100RT reliable?

The BMW R100RT is about average for its class: 85.9% of its 1,043 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #2230 of 5426 models.

What does a R100RT fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 38% of all defects recorded against failed R100RT tests.

What is the best year of R100RT to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1983-registered examples do best (88.1%) and 1980 worst (81.7%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a R100RT last?

The median R100RT shows 44,112 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 84.6% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.