BMW K1200 RS vs Suzuki GSF1200

The BMW K1200 RS passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 89.2% vs 82.4%, a 6.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	BMW K1200 RS	Suzuki GSF1200
First-time pass rate	89.2%	82.4%
Outright fail rate	6.9%	8.9%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.5 pts	-1.2 pts
Engine size	1,171cc	1,157cc
Rank among all models	#1212 of 5428	#3108 of 5428
Median miles at test	25,068	20,274
MOT tests analysed	770	97,637
Most common failure	brakes	lighting and signalling

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 K1200 RS	Suzuki GSF1200
Lights & signalling	1.9%	4.5%
Brakes	3.2%	2.8%
Steering & suspension	1.9%	2.2%
Tyres & wheels	1.8%	2.0%
Structure & body	0.3%	0.8%
Fuel & exhaust	0%	0.8%
Drive system	0%	0.6%

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 K1200 RS	Suzuki GSF1200
2010	88.9%	81.3%
2011	92.5%	80.2%
2012	87.5%	80.7%
2013	81.8%	80.2%
2014	86.4%	81.0%
2015	96.2%	81.9%
2016	92.0%	82.2%
2017	88.4%	82.9%

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 K1200 RS	Suzuki GSF1200
0k-10k miles	89.8%	87.7%
10k-20k miles	93.6%	83.8%
20k-30k miles	90.0%	81.1%
30k-40k miles	91.8%	78.5%
40k-50k miles	89.8%	78.4%
50k-60k miles	84.3%	78.8%

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

BMW K1200 RS vs Suzuki GSF1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW K1200 RS or the Suzuki GSF1200?

The BMW K1200 RS passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF1200: 89.2% vs 82.4%, a 6.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW K1200 RS still comes out ahead: +6.5 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW K1200 RS, -1.2 for the Suzuki GSF1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the BMW K1200 RS fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 3.2% of BMW K1200 RS MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (1.9%).

What does the Suzuki GSF1200 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 4.5% of Suzuki GSF1200 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the BMW K1200 RS or the Suzuki GSF1200?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW K1200 RS passes first time more often: 84.3% for the BMW K1200 RS vs 78.8% for the Suzuki GSF1200.

BMW K1200 RS 89.2% pass · 770 tests SUZUKI GSF1200 82.4% pass · 97.6k tests

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