Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025
Yamaha FJR vs BMW R1200
The Yamaha FJR passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1200: 93.9% vs 92.9%, a 1.0-point lead.
MOT reliability, side by side
| Metric | Yamaha FJR | BMW R1200 |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 93.9% | 92.9% |
| Outright fail rate | 3.4% | 3.7% |
| Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted) | +8.7 pts | +8.6 pts |
| Engine size | 1,298cc | 1,170cc |
| Rank among all models | #183 of 5428 | #315 of 5428 |
| Median miles at test | 17,777 | 20,069 |
| MOT tests analysed | 5,467 | 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
| Component | Yamaha FJR | BMW R1200 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.3% | 1.5% |
| Tyres & wheels | 1.2% | 1.0% |
| Steering & suspension | 1.2% | 0.7% |
| Lights & signalling | 0.5% | 0.9% |
| Structure & body | 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
| Test year | Yamaha FJR | BMW R1200 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 93.9% | 93.0% |
| 2019 | 93.3% | 93.6% |
| 2020 | 95.3% | 94.0% |
| 2021 | 95.1% | 93.9% |
| 2022 | 92.7% | 93.8% |
| 2023 | 94.3% | 94.1% |
| 2024 | 93.1% | 94.0% |
| 2025 | 95.2% | 94.2% |
Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.
Pass rate by mileage
| Mileage | Yamaha FJR | BMW R1200 |
|---|---|---|
| 0k-10k miles | 95.9% | 94.8% |
| 10k-20k miles | 94.8% | 93.7% |
| 20k-30k miles | 92.9% | 92.8% |
| 30k-40k miles | 92.0% | 91.9% |
| 40k-50k miles | 90.5% | 90.8% |
| 50k-60k miles | 90.4% | 89.5% |
Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.
Yamaha FJR vs BMW R1200 FAQ
Which is more reliable, the Yamaha FJR or the BMW R1200?
The Yamaha FJR passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1200: 93.9% vs 92.9%, a 1.0-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+8.7 vs +8.6 points against comparable bikes), so the raw gap is mostly down to how old and how used each fleet is. 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 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 Yamaha FJR or the BMW R1200?
They are level: at 50k-60k miles the Yamaha FJR passes 90.4% first time and the BMW R1200 89.5%.
See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.