Moto Guzzi Spada vs BMW R1150

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Moto Guzzi Spada: 88.5% vs 81.1%, a 7.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Moto Guzzi Spada	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	81.1%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	9.7%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	-2.2 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	949cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#3358 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	44,292	33,151
MOT tests analysed	729	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 Spada	BMW R1150
Lights & signalling	4.7%	2.4%
Brakes	4.1%	2.9%
Tyres & wheels	2.6%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	2.1%	1.4%
Structure & body	0.4%	0.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	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 Spada	BMW R1150
2011	69.6%	87.3%
2012	81.8%	87.6%
2013	84.1%	87.1%
2014	84.6%	87.5%
2015	71.4%	88.0%
2016	81.4%	87.6%
2017	94.6%	88.2%
2018	72.7%	88.1%

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 Spada	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	86.3%	92.9%
20k-30k miles	81.0%	90.1%
30k-40k miles	77.9%	88.6%
40k-50k miles	89.3%	86.9%
50k-60k miles	79.8%	85.7%

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

Moto Guzzi Spada vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

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

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Moto Guzzi Spada: 88.5% vs 81.1%, a 7.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: -2.2 points vs comparable bikes for the Moto Guzzi Spada, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

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

Lights & signalling: 4.7% of Moto Guzzi Spada MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (4.1%).

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 Spada or the BMW R1150?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R1150 passes first time more often: 79.8% for the Moto Guzzi Spada vs 85.7% for the BMW R1150.

MOTO GUZZI SPADA 81.1% pass · 729 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.