Buell M2 vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell M2: 92.9% vs 86.5%, a 6.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Buell M2	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	86.5%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	6.3%	3.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.3 pts	+8.6 pts
Engine size	1,200cc	1,170cc
Rank among all models	#2052 of 5428	#315 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,398	20,069
MOT tests analysed	3,474	299,381
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	Buell M2	BMW R1200
Lights & signalling	2.8%	0.9%
Brakes	2.1%	1.5%
Steering & suspension	2.0%	0.7%
Tyres & wheels	1.2%	1.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.5%	0.0%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.1%
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	Buell M2	BMW R1200
2018	86.2%	93.0%
2019	89.8%	93.6%
2020	92.1%	94.0%
2021	89.3%	93.9%
2022	88.1%	93.8%
2023	89.3%	94.1%
2024	90.0%	94.0%
2025	92.0%	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	Buell M2	BMW R1200
0k-10k miles	86.6%	94.8%
10k-20k miles	87.3%	93.7%
20k-30k miles	84.8%	92.8%
30k-40k miles	83.7%	91.9%
40k-50k miles	83.8%	90.8%

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

Buell M2 vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Buell M2 or the BMW R1200?

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell M2: 92.9% vs 86.5%, a 6.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1200 still comes out ahead: +1.3 points vs comparable bikes for the Buell M2, +8.6 for the BMW R1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Buell M2 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.8% of Buell M2 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.1%).

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 Buell M2 or the BMW R1200?

At 40k-50k miles the BMW R1200 passes first time more often: 83.8% for the Buell M2 vs 90.8% for the BMW R1200.

BUELL M2 86.5% pass · 3,474 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.