Moto Guzzi V10 vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Moto Guzzi V10: 92.9% vs 85.4%, a 7.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Moto Guzzi V10	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	85.4%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	7.9%	3.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.4 pts	+8.6 pts
Engine size	992cc	1,170cc
Rank among all models	#2385 of 5428	#315 of 5428
Median miles at test	18,583	20,069
MOT tests analysed	780	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 V10	BMW R1200
Brakes	2.7%	1.5%
Lights & signalling	3.2%	0.9%
Steering & suspension	2.6%	0.7%
Tyres & wheels	1.5%	1.0%
Structure & body	0.3%	0.1%
Drive system	0.1%	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	Moto Guzzi V10	BMW R1200
2012	76.9%	90.5%
2013	84.1%	91.1%
2014	82.9%	91.7%
2015	77.1%	92.4%
2016	85.3%	92.4%
2017	90.6%	92.8%
2021	91.4%	93.9%
2022	88.9%	93.8%

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 V10	BMW R1200
0k-10k miles	89.8%	94.8%
10k-20k miles	83.7%	93.7%
20k-30k miles	86.2%	92.8%
30k-40k miles	82.4%	91.9%
40k-50k miles	81.8%	90.8%

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

Moto Guzzi V10 vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Moto Guzzi V10 or the BMW R1200?

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Moto Guzzi V10: 92.9% vs 85.4%, a 7.5-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1200 still comes out ahead: +1.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Moto Guzzi V10, +8.6 for the BMW R1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Moto Guzzi V10 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.2% of Moto Guzzi V10 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 Moto Guzzi V10 or the BMW R1200?

At 40k-50k miles the BMW R1200 passes first time more often: 81.8% for the Moto Guzzi V10 vs 90.8% for the BMW R1200.

MOTO GUZZI V10 85.4% pass · 780 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.