BMW R90/6

898cc Petrol Class 2

#919 of 5426 overall #39 of 109 BMWs #560 of 2787 other bikes

90.1%

first-time pass rate

5.0%

failed outright

48,853

median miles at test

556

MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate over time

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

The R90/6's first-time pass rate has risen 8.5 points since 2006, 86.7% to 95.2%.

Pass rate by mileage

how the R90/6's first-time pass rate falls with the odometer · class average 84.9%

A low-mileage R90/6 passes first time 94.5% of the time; by 50k that's 90.8%.

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 R90/6

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded

Component group	Defects	% of defects	vs all bikes
brakes	21	35.6	0.5×
lighting and signalling	12	20.3	0.4×
steering and suspension	9	15.3	0.5×
lamps and reflectors	5	8.5	0.3×
fuel and exhaust	4	6.8	0.9×
driving controls	3	5.1	2.3×
tyres and wheels	2	3.4	0.2×
steering	1	1.7	0.4×
suspension	1	1.7	0.2×
body and structure	1	1.7	0.4×

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 R90/6 beats 4 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 R90/6.

Pass rate by registration year

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

Best year to buy used: 1971 (95.2% pass). Weakest: 1976 (86.0%).

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 R90/6 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Is the BMW R90/6 reliable?

The BMW R90/6 is more reliable than average for its class: 90.1% of its 556 MOT tests (2005–2025) passed first time, against a class average of 84.9%. That ranks it #919 of 5426 models.

What does a R90/6 fail its MOT on most?

brakes — 36% of all defects recorded against failed R90/6 tests.

What is the best year of R90/6 to buy used?

By first-time pass rate, 1971-registered examples do best (95.2%) and 1976 worst (86.0%). Condition and history still trump the year.

How many miles will a R90/6 last?

The median R90/6 shows 48,853 miles at test, and examples around 50k miles still pass 90.8% of the time — mileage alone rarely kills one.