BMW R75/5

750cc Petrol Class 2

#883 of 5426 overall #38 of 109 BMWs #537 of 2787 other bikes

90.2%

first-time pass rate

3.6%

failed outright

37,062

median miles at test

1,002

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The R75/5's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (89.9% → 89.3%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the R75/5's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage R75/5 passes first time 90.6% of the time; by 50k that's 87.8%.

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 R75/5

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	32	42.7	0.5×
steering and suspension	13	17.3	0.3×
brakes	10	13.3	0.2×
tyres and wheels	10	13.3	0.5×
fuel and exhaust	4	5.3	0.4×
driving controls	4	5.3	1.7×
Identification of the vehicle	1	1.3	0.4×
body and structure	1	1.3	0.2×

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 R75/5 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (KAWASAKI ZX-6R, SUZUKI GSF600, YAMAHA FZS600).

KAWASAKI ZX-6R 78.1% pass · 174k tests SUZUKI GSF600 77.3% pass · 143k tests YAMAHA FZS600 82.6% pass · 137k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k 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 R75/5.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1971 (92.1% pass). Weakest: 1970 (86.9%).

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 R75/5 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW R75/5 reliable?

The BMW R75/5 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.2% of its 1,002 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #883 of 5426 models.

What does a R75/5 fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 43% of all defects recorded against failed R75/5 tests.

What is the best year of R75/5 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1971-registered examples do best (92.1%) and 1970 worst (86.9%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a R75/5 last?

The median R75/5 shows 37,062 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 87.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.