BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ BMW/R90
Model report · 2005–2025

BMW R90

898cc Petrol Class 2
#1884 of 5428 overall #67 of 109 BMWs #1138 of 2788 other bikes
87.1%
first-time pass rate
5.6%
failed outright
51,662
median miles at test
372
MOT tests, 2005–2025
+2.5pp
vs expected · age & mileage

The pass rate is the MOT first-time pass: a roadworthiness check of the items an MOT covers (brakes, lights, tyres, steering, structure, emissions), not a full mechanical inspection of engine or gearbox internals. It is a reliability signal, not a complete measure of mechanical reliability. What this measures.

“vs expected” adjusts for age, mileage and test class, so a cherished classic and a hard-used commuter are compared fairly. How this works.

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%).

83%86%88%2006: 86.5% pass (37 tests)2009: 83.9% pass (31 tests)2011: 87.1% pass (31 tests)20062011

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%.

70%84%99%20k: 90.5% pass (42 tests)30k: 73.9% pass (46 tests)40k: 94.5% pass (55 tests)50k: 84.9% pass (53 tests)20k40k50k

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 Share of defects 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 Compare head-to-head →
TRIUMPH SPRINT 85.6% pass · 133k tests Compare head-to-head →
SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests Compare head-to-head →
HONDA VFR800 FI 86.7% pass · 89.4k tests Compare head-to-head →

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.

Compare with any bike

rival not listed above? pick any model to see it head-to-head with the R90

More BMW models

other BMW bikes ranked by MOT pass rate
BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests
BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests
BMW S1000 90.8% pass · 64.2k tests
BMW F800 90.4% pass · 60.0k tests
BMW K SERIES 90.0% pass · 38.7k tests
BMW K1200 89.5% pass · 34.7k tests

See all BMW models →

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%).

82%89%95%1971: 92.9% pass (56 tests)1975: 85.7% pass (154 tests)1976: 84.2% pass (114 tests)197119751976

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.

Embed this bike

Free to embed on your site, blog or forum — a live BMW R90 reliability card that stays up to date and links back here. More on the free API page.