BMW HP4 MOT pass rate and common failures
BMW HP4 motorcycles pass the MOT 90.54% of the time, measured across 222 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.95% 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 60% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check does not conform to the specified requirements and not working on dipped beam, 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 (9.5% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 12,017 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 years | 93.88% | 49 | |
| 11-15 years | 89.6% | 173 |
Why the BMW HP4 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 | 60% | 6 | |
| 2 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 40% | 4 | |
| 3 | Not working on dipped beam | 30% | 3 | |
| 4 | Not working | 20% | 2 | |
| 5 | Projected beam image obviously incorrect | 20% | 2 | |
| 6 | System insecure | 20% | 2 | |
| 7 | Too high | 20% | 2 | |
| 8 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 20% | 2 | |
| 9 | Does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls | 10% | 1 | |
| 10 | Does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamp(s) | 10% | 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 | 9.5% | 21 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 6.3% | 14 | |
| 3 | Excessively loose | 1.8% | 4 | |
| 4 | Has excessive play | 1.8% | 4 | |
| 5 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 1.8% | 4 | |
| 6 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 0.9% | 2 | |
| 7 | Worn to excess | 0.9% | 2 | |
| 8 | Excessively binding | 0.5% | 1 | |
| 9 | Excessively distorted | 0.5% | 1 | |
| 10 | Has excessive wear or free play | 0.5% | 1 |
BMW HP4 for sale
No BMW HP4 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 R1200 · 1,170cc | 9,521 | 94.43% | 28,830 | |
| BMW S 1000 · 999cc | 8,445 | 91.96% | 15,282 | |
| BMW R1250 · 1,254cc | 6,764 | 96.17% | 17,373 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method