Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 vs BMW R1150

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7: 88.5% vs 86.2%, a 2.3-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	86.2%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	7.4%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.6 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	1,255cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#2148 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	17,250	33,151
MOT tests analysed	6,074	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	Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7	BMW R1150
Lights & signalling	3.0%	2.4%
Brakes	2.1%	2.9%
Tyres & wheels	2.3%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	2.1%	1.4%
Structure & body	0.5%	0.2%
Drive system	0.3%	0.0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.2%	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	Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7	BMW R1150
2018	84.9%	88.1%
2019	84.7%	88.3%
2020	84.7%	88.0%
2021	83.8%	87.9%
2022	86.3%	88.6%
2023	84.9%	89.1%
2024	84.5%	88.1%
2025	87.8%	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	Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	90.1%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	88.6%	92.1%
20k-30k miles	84.2%	90.1%
30k-40k miles	82.8%	88.6%
40k-50k miles	77.8%	86.9%
50k-60k miles	75.7%	85.7%

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

Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 or the BMW R1150?

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7: 88.5% vs 86.2%, a 2.3-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: +1.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 3.0% of Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (2.3%).

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 Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 or the BMW R1150?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R1150 passes first time more often: 75.7% for the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K7 vs 85.7% for the BMW R1150.

SUZUKI GSF 1250 SA K7 86.2% pass · 6,074 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.