Yamaha FJR vs BMW R1150

The Yamaha FJR passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 93.9% vs 88.5%, a 5.4-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Yamaha FJR	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	93.9%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	3.4%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+8.7 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	1,298cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#183 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	17,777	33,151
MOT tests analysed	5,467	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	Yamaha FJR	BMW R1150
Brakes	1.3%	2.9%
Lights & signalling	0.5%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	1.2%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	1.2%	1.4%
Structure & body	0.1%	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	Yamaha FJR	BMW R1150
2018	93.9%	88.1%
2019	93.3%	88.3%
2020	95.3%	88.0%
2021	95.1%	87.9%
2022	92.7%	88.6%
2023	94.3%	89.1%
2024	93.1%	88.1%
2025	95.2%	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	Yamaha FJR	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	95.9%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	94.8%	92.1%
20k-30k miles	92.9%	90.1%
30k-40k miles	92.0%	88.6%
40k-50k miles	90.5%	86.9%
50k-60k miles	90.4%	85.7%

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

Yamaha FJR vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha FJR or the BMW R1150?

The Yamaha FJR passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 93.9% vs 88.5%, a 5.4-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class, the Yamaha FJR still comes out ahead: +8.7 points vs comparable bikes for the Yamaha FJR, +6.7 for the BMW R1150. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Yamaha FJR fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 1.3% of Yamaha FJR MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (1.2%).

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 Yamaha FJR or the BMW R1150?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha FJR passes first time more often: 90.4% for the Yamaha FJR vs 85.7% for the BMW R1150.

YAMAHA FJR 93.9% pass · 5,467 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.