BMW R80GS

798cc Petrol Class 2

#1243 of 5426 overall #50 of 109 BMWs #756 of 2787 other bikes

89.1%

first-time pass rate

6.2%

failed outright

32,656

median miles at test

585

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The R80GS's first-time pass rate has risen 1.6 points since 2006, 92.0% to 93.6%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the R80GS's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage R80GS passes first time 84.3% of the time; by 50k that's 94.1%.

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 R80GS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
lighting and signalling	31	43.7	1.0×
brakes	12	16.9	0.4×
steering and suspension	10	14.1	0.4×
tyres and wheels	9	12.7	0.6×
reg plates and vin	3	4.2	0.6×
body and structure	3	4.2	0.7×
fuel and exhaust	2	2.8	0.2×
driving controls	1	1.4	0.7×

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 R80GS 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 R80GS.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1989 (91.7% pass). Weakest: 1981 (87.4%).

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 R80GS FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW R80GS reliable?

The BMW R80GS is more reliable than average for its class: 89.1% of its 585 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #1243 of 5426 models.

What does a R80GS fail its MOT on most?

lighting and signalling — 44% of all defects recorded against failed R80GS tests.

What is the best year of R80GS to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1989-registered examples do best (91.7%) and 1981 worst (87.4%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a R80GS last?

The median R80GS shows 32,656 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 94.1% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.