Moto Guzzi Griso vs BMW R1150

The Moto Guzzi Griso passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 90.1% vs 88.5%, a 1.6-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Moto Guzzi Griso	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	90.1%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	4.8%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+3.8 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	1,064cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#921 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	11,058	33,151
MOT tests analysed	5,012	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	Moto Guzzi Griso	BMW R1150
Brakes	1.2%	2.9%
Lights & signalling	1.7%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	1.4%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	1.3%	1.4%
Structure & body	0.2%	0.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.0%	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 Griso	BMW R1150
2018	88.6%	88.1%
2019	88.3%	88.3%
2020	89.1%	88.0%
2021	90.5%	87.9%
2022	91.4%	88.6%
2023	89.4%	89.1%
2024	90.1%	88.1%
2025	91.9%	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	Moto Guzzi Griso	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	91.8%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	89.4%	92.1%
20k-30k miles	88.6%	90.1%
30k-40k miles	87.0%	88.6%
40k-50k miles	81.5%	86.9%

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

Moto Guzzi Griso vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Moto Guzzi Griso or the BMW R1150?

The Moto Guzzi Griso passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 90.1% vs 88.5%, a 1.6-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: +3.8 points vs comparable bikes for the Moto Guzzi Griso, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Moto Guzzi Griso fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.7% of Moto Guzzi Griso MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.4%).

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 Moto Guzzi Griso or the BMW R1150?

At 40k-50k miles the BMW R1150 passes first time more often: 81.5% for the Moto Guzzi Griso vs 86.9% for the BMW R1150.

MOTO GUZZI GRISO 90.1% pass · 5,012 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.