BMW R 1250 R SE MOT pass rate and common failures

BMW R 1250 R SE motorcycles pass the MOT 93.95% of the time, measured across 248 tests in the DVSA record. A further 2.42% passed only after a defect was put right at the test station.

Better than average: 7.1 points above the 86.87% figure for all motorcycles tested.

Pass rate 93.95% 233 of 248

Fixed at the station 2.42% passed after an on-the-spot repair

Average mileage at test 9,145 miles

Average age at test 3.59 years old

Engine 1,254cc MOT class 2

For sale now 0 BMW R 1250 R SE adverts

What to check before the MOT

Built from this model's own failure record, not general advice.

Start with too low - it accounts for 33.3% of failed tests on this model.
Then check tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm and missing, the next two most common reasons.
The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (3.2% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
Average recorded mileage at test is 9,145 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	93.95%		248

Why the BMW R 1250 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	Too low	33.3%	3
2	Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm	33.3%	3
3	Missing	22.2%	2
4	Does not conform to the specified requirements	11.1%	1
5	Excessively distorted	11.1%	1
6	Excessively stiff or notchy	11.1%	1
7	Has a serious fluid leak	11.1%	1
8	Has excessive play	11.1%	1
9	Has excessive wear or free play	11.1%	1
10	In such a condition that the steering action is adversely affected	11.1%	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	3.2%	8
2	Less than 1.0 mm thick	2%	5
3	Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort	1.6%	4
4	Excessively distorted	1.2%	3
5	Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition	1.2%	3
6	Has a serious fluid leak	0.8%	2
7	Insecure	0.8%	2
8	Component pin or bush excessively worn	0.4%	1
9	Has excessive play	0.4%	1
10	Has excessive wear or free play	0.4%	1

BMW R 1250 R SE for sale

No BMW R 1250 R SE in stock at the moment - 86 other BMW bikes are advertised.

Used BMW R 1250 R SE Used BMW All BMW BMW MOT statistics

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
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
BMW R 1200 · 1,170cc	6,170	95.28%	27,241

Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method

BMW R 1250 R SE MOT questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW R 1250 R SE?+

93.95% of BMW R 1250 R SE MOT tests end in a pass, based on 248 tests in the DVSA dataset.

What is the most common MOT failure on a BMW R 1250 R SE?+

Too low, which appears in 33.3% of failed tests on this model.

Where does this data come from?+

From the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, which records every MOT carried out in England, Scotland and Wales. It is published under the Open Government Licence and covers 2025.

Does a high pass rate mean the bike is reliable?+

Not by itself. The MOT checks safety items - brakes, tyres, lights, structure - and says nothing about engines, gearboxes or electrics. Read it as a maintenance signal, not a reliability score.