BMW F 900 R SE MOT pass rate and common failures
BMW F 900 R SE motorcycles pass the MOT 96.08% of the time, measured across 255 tests in the DVSA record. A further 1.96% 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 missing - it accounts for 100% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not conform to the specified requirements and excessively distorted, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (6.3% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 7,876 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 | 96.08% | 255 |
Why the BMW F 900 R SE 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 | Missing | 100% | 5 | |
| 2 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 40% | 2 | |
| 3 | Excessively distorted | 20% | 1 | |
| 4 | Excessively loose | 20% | 1 | |
| 5 | Fouling on the fuel tank or bodywork on full lock | 20% | 1 | |
| 6 | Has a serious fluid leak | 20% | 1 | |
| 7 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 20% | 1 | |
| 8 | Not working | 20% | 1 | |
| 9 | So loose it is likely to fail | 20% | 1 | |
| 10 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 20% | 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 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 6.3% | 16 | |
| 2 | Excessively loose | 3.9% | 10 | |
| 3 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 3.5% | 9 | |
| 4 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 2.4% | 6 | |
| 5 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 2% | 5 | |
| 6 | Tread not clearly visible | 2% | 5 | |
| 7 | Worn to excess | 1.6% | 4 | |
| 8 | Excessively distorted | 1.2% | 3 | |
| 9 | Excessively binding | 0.8% | 2 | |
| 10 | Bent so it cannot be readily operated | 0.4% | 1 |
BMW F 900 R SE for sale
1 BMW F 900 R SE adverts on MotoDealers UK right now, 86 BMW in total.
Similar bikes compared
Models of comparable capacity, so the comparison means something.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Avg mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph TIGER · 969cc | 16,144 | 91.27% | 22,934 | |
| Triumph BONNEVILLE 642-904cc · 642-904cc | 12,456 | 90.8% | 12,824 | |
| BMW R SERIES · 1,152cc | 9,796 | 91.92% | 40,594 | |
| BMW S 1000 · 999cc | 8,445 | 91.96% | 15,282 | |
| Yamaha YZF R1 · 998cc | 6,022 | 88.01% | 23,152 | |
| Yamaha MT 800-1000cc · 800-1000cc | 5,720 | 90.98% | 16,130 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method