BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se vs BMW R1150

The Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 93.7% vs 88.5%, a 5.2-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se BMW R1150
First-time pass rate 93.7% 88.5%
Outright fail rate 3.1% 6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) +6.1 pts +6.7 pts
Engine size 998cc 1,130cc
Rank among all models #214 of 5428 #1449 of 5428
Median miles at test 9,193 33,151
MOT tests analysed 1,693 170,963
Most common failure lamps and reflectors 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 Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se BMW R1150
Brakes 0.4% 2.9%
Lights & signalling 0.9% 2.4%
Tyres & wheels 0.7% 1.7%
Steering & suspension 0.5% 1.4%
Structure & body 0.4% 0.2%
Fuel & exhaust 0% 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 Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se BMW R1150
2021 92.1% 87.9%
2022 93.2% 88.6%
2023 94.6% 89.1%
2024 94.0% 88.1%
2025 94.3% 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 Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se BMW R1150
0k-10k miles 94.4% 92.9%
10k-20k miles 92.3% 92.1%
20k-30k miles 94.1% 90.1%

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

Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se or the BMW R1150?

The Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 93.7% vs 88.5%, a 5.2-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+6.1 vs +6.7 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 0.9% of Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (0.7%).

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 Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se or the BMW R1150?

At 20k-30k miles the Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se passes first time more often: 94.1% for the Kawasaki ZX 1002 BJF SX Se vs 90.1% for the BMW R1150.

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