BMW C 650 MOT pass rate and common failures
BMW C 650 motorcycles pass the MOT 91.95% of the time, measured across 261 tests in the DVSA record. A further 2.3% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.
What to check before the MOT
Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.
- Start with less than 1.0 mm thick - it accounts for 53.3% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and excessively binding, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (8.4% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 13,902 miles, which is the number to compare any advert against.
Pass rate by age
A single pass rate hides the most useful thing in this data: how the same model behaves at three years old and at fifteen.
| Age at test | Pass rate | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-5 years | 93.75% | 32 | |
| 6-10 years | 92.31% | 182 | |
| 11-15 years | 89.36% | 47 |
Why the BMW C 650 fails
Share of failed tests on this model where the item was recorded. One test can fail on several items, so the column does not add up to 100%.
| # | Item | Of failures | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 53.3% | 8 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 33.3% | 5 | |
| 3 | Excessively binding | 20% | 3 | |
| 4 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 13.3% | 2 | |
| 5 | Inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 13.3% | 2 | |
| 6 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 6.7% | 1 | |
| 7 | Emits other than a steady red light | 6.7% | 1 | |
| 8 | Has a serious fluid leak | 6.7% | 1 | |
| 9 | Inadequately mounted and braking performance affected | 6.7% | 1 | |
| 10 | Insecure | 6.7% | 1 |
Most common advisories
Not a failure and not a legal requirement to fix - but an advisory that repeats year after year is money the next owner spends.
| # | Item | Of all tests | Tests | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 8.4% | 22 | |
| 2 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 7.7% | 20 | |
| 3 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 3.1% | 8 | |
| 4 | Excessively binding | 2.3% | 6 | |
| 5 | Excessively corroded | 1.5% | 4 | |
| 6 | Is so short that the brake cannot be readily applied | 1.1% | 3 | |
| 7 | Has an excessively worn bush | 0.8% | 2 | |
| 8 | Has excessive play | 0.8% | 2 | |
| 9 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 0.8% | 2 | |
| 10 | Tread not clearly visible | 0.8% | 2 |
BMW C 650 for sale
No BMW C 650 in stock at the moment - 86 other BMW bikes are advertised.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB 397-750cc · 397-750cc | 5,400 | 89.76% | 19,444 | |
| Honda NC · 741cc | 5,311 | 89.53% | 22,765 | |
| Suzuki GSF600 · 600cc | 4,890 | 80% | 29,308 | |
| Honda CBR600F · 599cc | 4,710 | 85.56% | 30,651 | |
| Kawasaki ZX-6R · 599-636cc | 4,510 | 81.62% | 26,019 | |
| Suzuki SV650 · 646cc | 3,834 | 80.99% | 27,644 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method