CarVerify

Bimota SB6 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Bimota SB6 car check

Is the Bimota SB6 reliable? We analysed 832 real MOT tests across 134 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Bimota SB6? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 832 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
87.3%
Typical Mileage
9,495mi
Annual Mileage
361mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
31yrs

The Bimota SB6 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Bimota SB6.

Bimota SB6 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Bimota SB6. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Bimota SB6 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Bimota SB6 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

82.6%
2002
91%
2001
87.2%
2000
87.2%
1998
90.7%
1997
76.4%
1996
92.7%
1995

Bimota SB6 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Bimota SB6 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 11
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 10
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 7
Headlamp aim too high 6
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside 5
Direction indicator not working 4
Brake disc(s) insecure 4
Headlamp at least one does not illuminate on dipped beam 4
reflector on motorcycle missing 3

Bimota SB6 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Bimota SB6 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
97 mi/yr
Typical
361 mi/yr
Average
1,178 mi/yr
Heavy usage
939 mi/yr

Bimota SB6 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Bimota SB6 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2002 115 82.6% 5,285 10,970 16,431
2001 67 91.0% 4,631 5,682 12,112
2000 164 87.2% 3,471 7,044 13,131
1998 125 87.2% 5,164 8,768 12,315
1997 140 90.7% 4,376 6,342 10,181
1996 72 76.4% 11,484 17,763 20,255
1995 55 92.7% 11,013 23,249 34,083

How Long Does a Bimota SB6 Last?

Based on 134 Bimota SB6 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
17.1 years
Median
17.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
31 years

Bimota SB6 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Bimota SB6 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
9,495 mi
75th Percentile
15,954 mi
95th Percentile
32,387 mi
Max Recorded
99,416 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Bimota SB6

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1995

92.7% MOT pass rate from 55 tests

Year to avoid
1996

76.4% MOT pass rate from 72 tests

The best year to buy a used Bimota SB6 is 1995, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.7% across 55 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Bimota SB6 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Bimota SB6 THIS CAR 87.3% 832 9,495 mi 31 yrs
Audi A3 SE Technik TDI 95% 1,372 78,422 mi — yrs
BMW X5 M50D Auto 89% 889 60,302 mi — yrs
Audi A4 S Line Black Edition + TDI 89.6% 491 80,667 mi — yrs
BMW F 900 Xr 94% 585 7,092 mi — yrs

Compared to the Audi A3 SE Technik TDI (95.0% pass rate) and the BMW X5 M50D Auto (89.0% pass rate), the Bimota SB6 trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Bimota SB6 you like?

Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.

Check a specific Bimota SB6

Should you buy a used Bimota SB6?

The Bimota SB6 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.3% across 832 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Bimota SB6 are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (11 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (10), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (7). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Bimota SB6 owner drives around 361 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Bimota SB6 models stay on UK roads for around 31 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Bimota SB6 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bimota SB6 reliable?
Based on 832 MOT tests, the Bimota SB6 has a 87.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Bimota SB6?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Bimota SB6 do per year?
The typical Bimota SB6 does around 361 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Bimota SB6 last?
Most Bimota SB6 models stay on UK roads for around 31 years based on our analysis of 134 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Bimota SB6?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Bimota SB6?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Bimota SB6 is 1995 with a 92.7% pass rate across 55 tests.