BMW K 1300 R vs BMW R1150

The BMW K 1300 R passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 90.4% vs 88.5%, a 1.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	BMW K 1300 R	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	90.4%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	5.6%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+3.7 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	1,293cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#825 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,609	33,151
MOT tests analysed	1,351	170,963
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	BMW K 1300 R	BMW R1150
Brakes	1.4%	2.9%
Lights & signalling	1.8%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	2.3%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	1.0%	1.4%
Structure & body	0%	0.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	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 1300 R	BMW R1150
2012	80.4%	87.6%
2013	93.9%	87.1%
2014	91.5%	87.5%
2015	90.2%	88.0%
2016	91.5%	87.6%
2017	89.4%	88.2%

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 K 1300 R	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	91.3%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	90.6%	92.1%
20k-30k miles	87.7%	90.1%
30k-40k miles	88.0%	88.6%

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

BMW K 1300 R vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW K 1300 R or the BMW R1150?

The BMW K 1300 R passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 90.4% vs 88.5%, a 1.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: +3.7 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW K 1300 R, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW K 1300 R fail its MOT on most?

Tyres & wheels: 2.3% of BMW K 1300 R MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (1.8%).

What does the BMW R1150 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.9% of BMW R1150 MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (2.4%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the BMW K 1300 R or the BMW R1150?

They are level: at 30k-40k miles the BMW K 1300 R passes 88.0% first time and the BMW R1150 88.6%.

BMW K 1300 R 90.4% pass · 1,351 tests BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests

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