Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8 vs BMW R1200

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8: 92.9% vs 88.9%, a 4.0-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	88.9%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	5.4%	3.7%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+4.1 pts	+8.6 pts
Engine size	1,255cc	1,170cc
Rank among all models	#1305 of 5428	#315 of 5428
Median miles at test	15,930	20,069
MOT tests analysed	5,432	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	Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8	BMW R1200
Brakes	1.8%	1.5%
Lights & signalling	2.1%	0.9%
Tyres & wheels	1.6%	1.0%
Steering & suspension	1.6%	0.7%
Structure & body	0.3%	0.1%
Drive system	0.2%	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	Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8	BMW R1200
2018	88.1%	93.0%
2019	84.7%	93.6%
2020	90.7%	94.0%
2021	88.3%	93.9%
2022	87.4%	93.8%
2023	89.6%	94.1%
2024	90.3%	94.0%
2025	89.1%	94.2%

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 K8	BMW R1200
0k-10k miles	92.5%	94.8%
10k-20k miles	90.2%	93.7%
20k-30k miles	85.7%	92.8%
30k-40k miles	85.2%	91.9%
40k-50k miles	81.5%	90.8%
50k-60k miles	88.1%	89.5%

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

Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8 vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8 or the BMW R1200?

The BMW R1200 passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8: 92.9% vs 88.9%, a 4.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1200 still comes out ahead: +4.1 points vs comparable bikes for the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8, +8.6 for the BMW R1200. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 2.1% of Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.8%).

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 Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8 or the BMW R1200?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R1200 passes first time more often: 88.1% for the Suzuki GSF 1250 Sa K8 vs 89.5% for the BMW R1200.

SUZUKI GSF 1250 SA K8 88.9% pass · 5,432 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.