Laverda RGS vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Laverda RGS: 92.9% vs 90.0%, a 2.9-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Laverda RGS	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	90.0%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	5.9%	3.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+7.5 pts	+8.6 pts
Engine size	981cc	1,170cc
Rank among all models	#960 of 5428	#315 of 5428
Median miles at test	41,924	20,069
MOT tests analysed	657	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	Laverda RGS	BMW R1200
Brakes	2.7%	1.5%
Lights & signalling	2.9%	0.9%
Steering & suspension	1.2%	0.7%
Tyres & wheels	0.8%	1.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.6%	0.0%
Structure & body	0.2%	0.1%
Drive system	0.2%	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	Laverda RGS	BMW R1200
2011	89.2%	90.5%
2012	88.4%	90.5%
2013	95.2%	91.1%
2014	82.9%	91.7%
2015	91.9%	92.4%
2016	87.5%	92.4%
2017	94.7%	92.8%
2018	90.3%	93.0%

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	Laverda RGS	BMW R1200
0k-10k miles	91.4%	94.8%
10k-20k miles	91.9%	93.7%
20k-30k miles	86.6%	92.8%
30k-40k miles	93.9%	91.9%
40k-50k miles	88.0%	90.8%
50k-60k miles	88.7%	89.5%

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

Laverda RGS vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Laverda RGS or the BMW R1200?

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Laverda RGS: 92.9% vs 90.0%, a 2.9-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1200 still comes out ahead: +7.5 points vs comparable bikes for the Laverda RGS, +8.6 for the BMW R1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Laverda RGS fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.9% of Laverda RGS MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.7%).

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 Laverda RGS or the BMW R1200?

They are level: at 50k-60k miles the Laverda RGS passes 88.7% first time and the BMW R1200 89.5%.

LAVERDA RGS 90.0% pass · 657 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.