Moto Guzzi 1000S vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Moto Guzzi 1000S: 92.9% vs 86.9%, a 6.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Moto Guzzi 1000S	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	86.9%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	8.9%	3.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+5.1 pts	+8.6 pts
Engine size	949cc	1,170cc
Rank among all models	#1937 of 5428	#315 of 5428
Median miles at test	49,052	20,069
MOT tests analysed	764	299,381
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	Moto Guzzi 1000S	BMW R1200
Brakes	4.3%	1.5%
Lights & signalling	3.9%	0.9%
Steering & suspension	1.8%	0.7%
Tyres & wheels	0.8%	1.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	0.0%
Structure & body	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	Moto Guzzi 1000S	BMW R1200
2011	82.6%	90.5%
2012	89.1%	90.5%
2013	82.6%	91.1%
2014	90.9%	91.7%
2015	86.1%	92.4%
2016	78.6%	92.4%
2017	87.8%	92.8%
2018	91.2%	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	Moto Guzzi 1000S	BMW R1200
0k-10k miles	83.5%	94.8%
10k-20k miles	91.3%	93.7%
20k-30k miles	84.5%	92.8%
30k-40k miles	88.1%	91.9%
40k-50k miles	86.4%	90.8%
50k-60k miles	91.1%	89.5%

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

Moto Guzzi 1000S vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Moto Guzzi 1000S or the BMW R1200?

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Moto Guzzi 1000S: 92.9% vs 86.9%, a 6.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1200 still comes out ahead: +5.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Moto Guzzi 1000S, +8.6 for the BMW R1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Moto Guzzi 1000S fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 4.3% of Moto Guzzi 1000S MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (3.9%).

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 Moto Guzzi 1000S or the BMW R1200?

At 50k-60k miles the Moto Guzzi 1000S passes first time more often: 91.1% for the Moto Guzzi 1000S vs 89.5% for the BMW R1200.

MOTO GUZZI 1000S 86.9% pass · 764 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.