BIKERELIABILITY
MOT DATA · GREAT BRITAIN · 2005–2025
Model report · 2005–2025

BMW RS

998cc Petrol Class 2
#1047 of 5426 overall #42 of 109 BMWs #641 of 2787 other bikes
89.7%
first-time pass rate
6.9%
failed outright
41,166
median miles at test
232
MOT tests, 2005–2025

Pass rate by mileage

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

A low-mileage RS passes first time 100.0% of the time; by 40k that's 84.6%.

80%90%100%10k: 100.0% pass (32 tests)30k: 83.6% pass (55 tests)40k: 84.6% pass (39 tests)10k30k40k

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 RS

failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
Component group Share of defects Defects % of defects
brakes
8 27.6
steering and suspension
7 24.1
lighting and signalling
4 13.8
tyres and wheels
3 10.3
structure and attachments
3 10.3
lamps and reflectors
1 3.4
driving controls
1 3.4
suspension
1 3.4
sidecar
1 3.4

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 RS beats 3 of its 4 closest rivals (BMW R1200, BMW R1150, TRIUMPH SPRINT).

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 RS.