BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Benelli TNT/vs BMW R1200
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Benelli TNT vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Benelli TNT: 92.9% vs 87.0%, a 5.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Benelli TNT BMW R1200
First-time pass rate 87.0% 92.9%
Outright fail rate 6.4% 3.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) -0.4 pts +8.6 pts
Engine size 1,130cc 1,170cc
Rank among all models #1910 of 5428 #315 of 5428
Median miles at test 7,046 20,069
MOT tests analysed 1,118 299,381
Most common failure lighting and signalling brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

"Vs comparable bikes" is the first-time pass rate minus the rate expected for each bike's own mix of age, mileage and test class, in percentage points: positive means better than comparable bikes. How this works.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better
Component Benelli TNT BMW R1200
Lights & signalling 3.8% 0.9%
Brakes 1.1% 1.5%
Steering & suspension 1.8% 0.7%
Tyres & wheels 0.6% 1.0%
Structure & body 0.5% 0.1%
Drive system 0.3% 0%
Fuel & exhaust 0.2% 0.0%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Benelli TNT BMW R1200
2018 84.1% 93.0%
2019 91.7% 93.6%
2020 82.2% 94.0%
2021 94.0% 93.9%
2022 89.1% 93.8%
2023 90.6% 94.1%
2024 81.3% 94.0%
2025 88.5% 94.2%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test
Mileage Benelli TNT BMW R1200
0k-10k miles 87.6% 94.8%
10k-20k miles 86.9% 93.7%
20k-30k miles 90.3% 92.8%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Benelli TNT vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Benelli TNT or the BMW R1200?

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Benelli TNT: 92.9% vs 87.0%, a 5.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1200 still comes out ahead: -0.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Benelli TNT, +8.6 for the BMW R1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Benelli TNT fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.8% of Benelli TNT MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.8%).

What does the BMW R1200 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.5% of BMW R1200 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.0%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Benelli TNT or the BMW R1200?

At 20k-30k miles the BMW R1200 passes first time more often: 90.3% for the Benelli TNT vs 92.8% for the BMW R1200.

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.