Vmoto TCM vs BMW R1150

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Vmoto TCM: 88.5% vs 78.1%, a 10.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Vmoto TCM	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	78.1%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	16.1%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+0.4 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	n/a	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#3895 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	3,535	33,151
MOT tests analysed	621	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	Vmoto TCM	BMW R1150
Lights & signalling	9.2%	2.4%
Steering & suspension	6.9%	1.4%
Brakes	4.2%	2.9%
Tyres & wheels	2.7%	1.7%
Structure & body	2.6%	0.2%
Fuel & exhaust	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	Vmoto TCM	BMW R1150
2022	85.1%	88.6%
2023	80.8%	89.1%
2024	77.2%	88.1%
2025	76.6%	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	Vmoto TCM	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	78.7%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	69.0%	92.1%

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

Vmoto TCM vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Vmoto TCM or the BMW R1150?

The BMW R1150 passes its MOT first time more often than the Vmoto TCM: 88.5% vs 78.1%, a 10.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the BMW R1150 still comes out ahead: +0.4 points vs comparable bikes for the Vmoto TCM, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Vmoto TCM fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 9.2% of Vmoto TCM MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (6.9%).

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%).

VMOTO TCM 78.1% pass · 621 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.