BMW R 18 MOT pass rate and common failures
BMW R 18 motorcycles pass the MOT 95.96% of the time, measured across 297 tests in the DVSA record. A further 3.7% 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 does not conform to the specified requirements - it accounts for 100% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check too high and too low, 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 (6.4% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 3,592 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 | 95.96% | 297 |
Why the BMW R 18 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 | Does not conform to the specified requirements | 100% | 5 | |
| 2 | Too high | 100% | 3 | |
| 3 | Too low | 100% | 3 | |
| 4 | Insecure | 100% | 1 | |
| 5 | Reflector slightly defective | 100% | 1 | |
| 6 | System insecure | 100% | 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 | 6.4% | 19 | |
| 2 | Tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm | 2.4% | 7 | |
| 3 | Less than 1.0 mm thick | 1% | 3 | |
| 4 | Inscription illegible | 0.3% | 1 | |
| 5 | Tread not clearly visible | 0.3% | 1 |
BMW R 18 for sale
1 BMW R 18 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki GSX1400 · 1,402cc | 2,352 | 91.54% | 26,720 | |
| Honda ST1300 · 1,261cc | 1,866 | 88.96% | 47,954 | |
| Triumph THUNDERBIRD 1600 · 1500-1800cc | 1,767 | 89.3% | 16,841 | |
| Suzuki GSX1300R · 1,300cc | 1,587 | 88.91% | 27,378 | |
| Harley-Davidson FLSTF · 1,507cc | 1,568 | 91.52% | 20,653 | |
| BMW K 1600 · 1,649cc | 1,484 | 95.62% | 19,181 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method