BMW R80 MOT pass rate and common failures
BMW R80 motorcycles pass the MOT 90.99% of the time, measured across 710 tests in the DVSA record. A further 4.23% 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 not working - it accounts for 64.7% of failed tests on this model.
- Then check too low and insecure, the next two most common reasons.
- The most common advisory is tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (3% of all tests) - not a failure, but money you will spend sooner or later.
- Average recorded mileage at test is 36,728 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16+ years | 90.99% | 688 |
Why the BMW R80 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 | Not working | 64.7% | 22 | |
| 2 | Too low | 20.6% | 7 | |
| 3 | Insecure | 17.6% | 6 | |
| 4 | Missing | 17.6% | 6 | |
| 5 | Has a serious fluid leak | 14.7% | 5 | |
| 6 | Remains on when the brakes are released | 14.7% | 5 | |
| 7 | Projected beam image obviously incorrect | 11.8% | 4 | |
| 8 | Switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements | 11.8% | 4 | |
| 9 | Flashing more than 120 times a minute | 8.8% | 3 | |
| 10 | Not working on dipped beam | 8.8% | 3 |
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% | 21 | |
| 2 | Indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort | 2.3% | 16 | |
| 3 | Noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar motorcycle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition | 2.1% | 15 | |
| 4 | Has a serious fluid leak | 2% | 14 | |
| 5 | Excessively distorted | 1.3% | 9 | |
| 6 | In such a condition that it is seriously weakened | 1.3% | 9 | |
| 7 | Excessively binding | 1.1% | 8 | |
| 8 | Excessively corroded | 1.1% | 8 | |
| 9 | Excessively stiff or notchy | 1% | 7 | |
| 10 | Has excessive play | 1% | 7 |
BMW R80 for sale
No BMW R80 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 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 | |
| Honda NC · 741cc | 5,311 | 89.53% | 22,765 |
Source: DVSA MOT testing data, 2025 · updated Aug 2026 · licence and method