Vincent Rapide vs BMW R1200

The Vincent Rapide passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1200: 94.7% vs 92.9%, a 1.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Vincent Rapide	BMW R1200
First-time pass rate	94.7%	92.9%
Outright fail rate	1.5%	3.7%
Engine size	998cc	1,170cc
Rank among all models	#105 of 5428	#315 of 5428
Median miles at test	12,501	20,069
MOT tests analysed	1,574	299,381
Most common failure	lighting and signalling	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.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better

Component	Vincent Rapide	BMW R1200
Brakes	0.4%	1.5%
Tyres & wheels	0.6%	1.0%
Lights & signalling	0.6%	0.9%
Steering & suspension	0.1%	0.7%
Drive system	0.1%	0%
Fuel & exhaust	0.1%	0.0%
Structure & body	0%	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	Vincent Rapide	BMW R1200
2005	98.0%	91.9%
2006	95.8%	90.3%
2007	96.3%	92.2%
2008	95.1%	90.8%
2009	95.7%	90.0%
2010	91.4%	89.8%
2011	94.7%	90.5%
2012	93.2%	90.5%

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	Vincent Rapide	BMW R1200
0k-10k miles	94.9%	94.8%
10k-20k miles	96.2%	93.7%
20k-30k miles	92.0%	92.8%
30k-40k miles	92.8%	91.9%
40k-50k miles	96.0%	90.8%
50k-60k miles	95.1%	89.5%

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

Vincent Rapide vs BMW R1200 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Vincent Rapide or the BMW R1200?

The Vincent Rapide passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1200: 94.7% vs 92.9%, a 1.8-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Vincent Rapide fail its MOT on most?

Tyres & wheels: 0.6% of Vincent Rapide MOT tests failed on it, then lights & signalling (0.6%).

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 Vincent Rapide or the BMW R1200?

At 50k-60k miles the Vincent Rapide passes first time more often: 95.1% for the Vincent Rapide vs 89.5% for the BMW R1200.

VINCENT RAPIDE 94.7% pass · 1,574 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.