Yamaha FJR1300A vs BMW R1150

The Yamaha FJR1300A passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 90.2% vs 88.5%, a 1.7-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Yamaha FJR1300A	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	90.2%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	6.0%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+7.0 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	1,298cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#884 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	25,551	33,151
MOT tests analysed	27,867	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 FJR1300A	BMW R1150
Brakes	2.3%	2.9%
Steering & suspension	2.4%	1.4%
Lights & signalling	1.0%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	1.7%	1.7%
Structure & body	0.1%	0.2%
Fuel & exhaust	0.0%	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 FJR1300A	BMW R1150
2018	90.3%	88.1%
2019	89.6%	88.3%
2020	90.0%	88.0%
2021	90.4%	87.9%
2022	90.4%	88.6%
2023	89.4%	89.1%
2024	89.3%	88.1%
2025	89.6%	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	Yamaha FJR1300A	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	93.7%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	92.4%	92.1%
20k-30k miles	90.2%	90.1%
30k-40k miles	89.3%	88.6%
40k-50k miles	87.1%	86.9%
50k-60k miles	87.1%	85.7%

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

Yamaha FJR1300A vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha FJR1300A or the BMW R1150?

The Yamaha FJR1300A passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 90.2% vs 88.5%, a 1.7-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+7.0 vs +6.7 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 FJR1300A fail its MOT on most?

Steering & suspension: 2.4% of Yamaha FJR1300A MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (2.3%).

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 FJR1300A or the BMW R1150?

At 50k-60k miles the Yamaha FJR1300A passes first time more often: 87.1% for the Yamaha FJR1300A vs 85.7% for the BMW R1150.

YAMAHA FJR1300A 90.2% pass · 27.9k 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.