Honda GL1200AF vs BMW R1150

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda GL1200AF: 88.5% vs 80.0%, a 8.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Honda GL1200AF	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	80.0%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	16.0%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-1.1 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	1,182cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#3578 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	58,882	33,151
MOT tests analysed	525	170,963
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	Honda GL1200AF	BMW R1150
Brakes	8.4%	2.9%
Steering & suspension	5.5%	1.4%
Lights & signalling	4%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	3.8%	1.7%
Structure & body	0.6%	0.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	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	Honda GL1200AF	BMW R1150
2010	81.8%	88.3%
2011	65.8%	87.3%
2012	71.1%	87.6%
2013	83.3%	87.1%
2014	73.7%	87.5%
2015	81.6%	88.0%
2016	81.3%	87.6%
2017	88.6%	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	Honda GL1200AF	BMW R1150
30k-40k miles	82.5%	88.6%
40k-50k miles	77.0%	86.9%
50k-60k miles	82.6%	85.7%

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

Honda GL1200AF vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Honda GL1200AF or the BMW R1150?

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Honda GL1200AF: 88.5% vs 80.0%, a 8.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: -1.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Honda GL1200AF, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Honda GL1200AF fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 8.4% of Honda GL1200AF MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (5.5%).

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 Honda GL1200AF or the BMW R1150?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R1150 passes first time more often: 82.6% for the Honda GL1200AF vs 85.7% for the BMW R1150.

HONDA GL1200AF 80.0% pass · 525 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.