BMW R90

898cc Petrol Class 2

#1883 of 5426 overall #67 of 109 BMWs #1137 of 2787 other bikes

87.1%

first-time pass rate

5.6%

failed outright

51,662

median miles at test

372

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

first-time pass rate by test year · 2006–2011

The R90's first-time pass rate has held steady since 2006 (86.5% → 87.1%).

Pass rate by mileage

how the R90's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage R90 passes first time 90.5% of the time; by 50k that's 84.9%.

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 R90

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects
lighting and signalling	15	38.5
brakes	8	20.5
steering and suspension	5	12.8
tyres and wheels	4	10.3
driving controls	4	10.3
reg plates and vin	1	2.6
fuel and exhaust	1	2.6
body and structure	1	2.6

Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.

How rivals compare

same type, similar capacity, high test volume

On first-time pass rate the R90 beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT, SUZUKI GSF1200).

BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k 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 R90.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1971 (92.9% pass). Weakest: 1976 (84.2%).

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.