BMW R1150 vs Yamaha XJR1300

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XJR1300: 88.5% vs 87.4%, a 1.1-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	BMW R1150	Yamaha XJR1300
First-time pass rate	88.5%	87.4%
Outright fail rate	6.8%	5.6%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+6.7 pts	+2.8 pts
Engine size	1,130cc	1,250cc
Rank among all models	#1449 of 5428	#1787 of 5428
Median miles at test	33,151	16,186
MOT tests analysed	170,963	95,093
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 R1150	Yamaha XJR1300
Brakes	2.9%	1.8%
Lights & signalling	2.4%	2.1%
Tyres & wheels	1.7%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	1.4%	1.0%
Structure & body	0.2%	0.4%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	0.4%
Drive system	0.0%	0.3%

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 R1150	Yamaha XJR1300
2018	88.1%	87.3%
2019	88.3%	87.7%
2020	88.0%	89.1%
2021	87.9%	88.3%
2022	88.6%	89.1%
2023	89.1%	89.6%
2024	88.1%	90.1%
2025	89.1%	90.5%

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 R1150	Yamaha XJR1300
0k-10k miles	92.9%	90.8%
10k-20k miles	92.1%	87.9%
20k-30k miles	90.1%	85.5%
30k-40k miles	88.6%	84.4%
40k-50k miles	86.9%	82.1%
50k-60k miles	85.7%	82.9%

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

BMW R1150 vs Yamaha XJR1300 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the BMW R1150 or the Yamaha XJR1300?

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Yamaha XJR1300: 88.5% vs 87.4%, a 1.1-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: +6.7 points vs comparable bikes for the BMW R1150, +2.8 for the Yamaha XJR1300. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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%).

What does the Yamaha XJR1300 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.1% of Yamaha XJR1300 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.8%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the BMW R1150 or the Yamaha XJR1300?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R1150 passes first time more often: 85.7% for the BMW R1150 vs 82.9% for the Yamaha XJR1300.

BMW R1150 88.5% pass · 171k tests YAMAHA XJR1300 87.4% pass · 95.1k tests

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