BMW K 1200 R vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW K 1200 R: 92.9% vs 87.4%, a 5.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	BMW K 1200 R	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	87.4%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	6.7%	3.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.8 pts	+8.6 pts
Engine size	1,157cc	1,170cc
Rank among all models	#1787 of 5428	#315 of 5428
Median miles at test	15,441	20,069
MOT tests analysed	1,465	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 K 1200 R	BMW R1200
Brakes	2.3%	1.5%
Tyres & wheels	2.0%	1.0%
Lights & signalling	1.6%	0.9%
Steering & suspension	1.4%	0.7%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	0.0%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.1%

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 K 1200 R	BMW R1200
2010	88.4%	89.8%
2011	86.0%	90.5%
2012	88.8%	90.5%
2013	86.4%	91.1%
2014	85.5%	91.7%
2015	88.4%	92.4%
2016	87.3%	92.4%
2017	87.2%	92.8%

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 K 1200 R	BMW R1200
0k-10k miles	90.0%	94.8%
10k-20k miles	88.7%	93.7%
20k-30k miles	83.7%	92.8%
30k-40k miles	80.7%	91.9%
40k-50k miles	87.5%	90.8%

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

BMW K 1200 R vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW K 1200 R or the BMW R1200?

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW K 1200 R: 92.9% vs 87.4%, a 5.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1200 still comes out ahead: +1.8 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW K 1200 R, +8.6 for the BMW R1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW K 1200 R fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.3% of BMW K 1200 R MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (2.0%).

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 K 1200 R or the BMW R1200?

At 40k-50k miles the BMW R1200 passes first time more often: 87.5% for the BMW K 1200 R vs 90.8% for the BMW R1200.

BMW K 1200 R 87.4% pass · 1,465 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.