Triumph Scrambler vs BMW R1150

The Triumph Scrambler 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	Triumph Scrambler	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	90.1%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	3.9%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+1.6 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	1,200cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#921 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	6,330	33,151
MOT tests analysed	4,078	170,963
Most common failure	lamps and reflectors	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	Triumph Scrambler	BMW R1150
Lights & signalling	1.6%	2.4%
Brakes	1.0%	2.9%
Tyres & wheels	0.6%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	0.6%	1.4%
Structure & body	0.8%	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	Triumph Scrambler	BMW R1150
2020	80.6%	88.0%
2021	92.7%	87.9%
2022	90.5%	88.6%
2023	90.5%	89.1%
2024	88.8%	88.1%
2025	92.1%	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	Triumph Scrambler	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	90.4%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	90.2%	92.1%
20k-30k miles	84.6%	90.1%
30k-40k miles	81.1%	88.6%

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

Triumph Scrambler vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Triumph Scrambler or the BMW R1150?

The Triumph Scrambler 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: +1.6 points vs comparable bikes for the Triumph Scrambler, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Triumph Scrambler fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.6% of Triumph Scrambler MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (1.0%).

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 Triumph Scrambler or the BMW R1150?

At 30k-40k miles the BMW R1150 passes first time more often: 81.1% for the Triumph Scrambler vs 88.6% for the BMW R1150.

TRIUMPH SCRAMBLER 90.1% pass · 4,078 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.