BMW GS vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW GS: 92.9% vs 90.7%, a 2.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025

Metric	BMW GS	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	90.7%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	4.8%	3.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+8.0 pts	+8.6 pts
Engine size	1,150cc	1,170cc
Rank among all models	#748 of 5428	#315 of 5428
Median miles at test	28,252	20,069
MOT tests analysed	1,806	299,381
Most common failure	brakes	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	BMW GS	BMW R1200
Brakes	1.8%	1.5%
Lights & signalling	1.8%	0.9%
Tyres & wheels	1.3%	1.0%
Steering & suspension	0.9%	0.7%
Structure & body	0.2%	0.1%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.0%
Drive system	0.1%	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	BMW GS	BMW R1200
2018	89.4%	93.0%
2019	85.9%	93.6%
2020	85.9%	94.0%
2021	91.8%	93.9%
2022	88.2%	93.8%
2023	93.3%	94.1%
2024	94.7%	94.0%
2025	83.9%	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	BMW GS	BMW R1200
0k-10k miles	94.2%	94.8%
10k-20k miles	91.2%	93.7%
20k-30k miles	91.8%	92.8%
30k-40k miles	91.6%	91.9%
40k-50k miles	86.7%	90.8%
50k-60k miles	86.8%	89.5%

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

BMW GS vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW GS or the BMW R1200?

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW GS: 92.9% vs 90.7%, a 2.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+8.0 vs +8.6 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW GS fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.8% of BMW GS MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (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 BMW GS or the BMW R1200?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R1200 passes first time more often: 86.8% for the BMW GS vs 89.5% for the BMW R1200.

BMW GS 90.7% pass · 1,806 tests BMW R1200 92.9% pass · 299k tests

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