Yamaha TDM900 vs BMW R1150

The Yamaha TDM900 passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 89.3% vs 88.5%, a 0.8-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

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

Metric	Yamaha TDM900	BMW R1150
First-time pass rate	89.3%	88.5%
Outright fail rate	6.2%	6.8%
Vs comparable bikes (age & mileage adjusted)	+5.8 pts	+6.7 pts
Engine size	897cc	1,130cc
Rank among all models	#1180 of 5428	#1449 of 5428
Median miles at test	22,506	33,151
MOT tests analysed	22,826	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 TDM900	BMW R1150
Brakes	2.5%	2.9%
Lights & signalling	1.5%	2.4%
Tyres & wheels	2.0%	1.7%
Steering & suspension	1.5%	1.4%
Structure & body	0.3%	0.2%
Drive system	0.4%	0.0%
Fuel & exhaust	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

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested

Test year	Yamaha TDM900	BMW R1150
2018	88.1%	88.1%
2019	88.7%	88.3%
2020	88.4%	88.0%
2021	89.6%	87.9%
2022	89.3%	88.6%
2023	89.5%	89.1%
2024	91.0%	88.1%
2025	88.6%	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 TDM900	BMW R1150
0k-10k miles	94.0%	92.9%
10k-20k miles	91.6%	92.1%
20k-30k miles	89.0%	90.1%
30k-40k miles	86.9%	88.6%
40k-50k miles	84.8%	86.9%
50k-60k miles	83.5%	85.7%

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

Yamaha TDM900 vs BMW R1150 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Yamaha TDM900 or the BMW R1150?

The Yamaha TDM900 passes its MOT first time more often than the BMW R1150: 89.3% vs 88.5%, a 0.8-point lead. Adjusted for age, mileage and test class the two are level (+5.8 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 TDM900 fail its MOT on most?

Brakes: 2.5% of Yamaha TDM900 MOT tests failed on it, then tyres & wheels (2.0%).

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 TDM900 or the BMW R1150?

At 50k-60k miles the BMW R1150 passes first time more often: 83.5% for the Yamaha TDM900 vs 85.7% for the BMW R1150.

YAMAHA TDM900 89.3% pass · 22.8k 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.