Buell S1 vs BMW R1150

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell S1: 88.5% vs 86.1%, a 2.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Buell S1	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	86.1%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	6.4%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.9 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	1,200cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#2173 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	13,063	33,151
MOT tests analysed	3,738	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	Buell S1	BMW R1150
Lights & signalling	3.9%	2.4%
Brakes	1.7%	2.9%
Steering & suspension	1.5%	1.4%
Tyres & wheels	1.0%	1.7%
Structure & body	0.7%	0.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	0.1%
Drive system	0.3%	0.0%

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 S1	BMW R1150
2018	86.1%	88.1%
2019	91.3%	88.3%
2020	88.6%	88.0%
2021	85.6%	87.9%
2022	87.3%	88.6%
2023	89.2%	89.1%
2024	88.2%	88.1%
2025	92.8%	89.1%

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 S1	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	86.2%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	87.1%	92.1%
20k-30k miles	84.7%	90.1%
30k-40k miles	83.3%	88.6%
40k-50k miles	84.1%	86.9%

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

Buell S1 vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Buell S1 or the BMW R1150?

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Buell S1: 88.5% vs 86.1%, a 2.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: +0.9 points vs comparable bikes for the Buell S1, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Buell S1 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.9% of Buell S1 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.7%).

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 Buell S1 or the BMW R1150?

At 40k-50k miles the BMW R1150 passes first time more often: 84.1% for the Buell S1 vs 86.9% for the BMW R1150.

BUELL S1 86.1% pass · 3,738 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.