BMW R1150 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free BMW R1150 car check
Is the BMW R1150 reliable? We analysed 51,143 real MOT tests across 3,967 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific BMW R1150? Enter the reg for a free check:
The BMW R1150 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW R1150.
BMW R1150 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a BMW R1150. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
BMW R1150 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a BMW R1150 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
BMW R1150 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a BMW R1150 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
BMW R1150 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on BMW R1150 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
BMW R1150 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical BMW R1150 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
BMW R1150 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW R1150 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 51 | 96.1% | 16,198 | 25,369 | 30,992 |
| 2005 | 2,059 | 91.7% | 15,072 | 25,564 | 36,927 |
| 2004 | 9,785 | 91.0% | 15,936 | 26,045 | 40,440 |
| 2003 | 14,854 | 91.5% | 16,283 | 27,443 | 41,826 |
| 2002 | 14,236 | 90.6% | 18,126 | 29,028 | 43,349 |
| 2001 | 9,854 | 90.6% | 19,526 | 30,864 | 45,404 |
| 2000 | 100 | 92.0% | 26,088 | 41,373 | 64,769 |
How Long Does a BMW R1150 Last?
Based on 3,967 BMW R1150 vehicles on UK roads.
BMW R1150 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all BMW R1150 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used BMW R1150
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
96.1% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
90.6% MOT pass rate from 9,854 tests
The best year to buy a used BMW R1150 is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.1% across 51 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 90.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the BMW R1150 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW R1150 THIS CAR | 91.0% | 51,143 | 28,142 mi | 25 yrs |
| BMW 3 Series | 75.1% | 12,840,406 | 90,743 mi | 37 yrs |
| BMW 118 | 81.5% | 1,923,256 | 64,042 mi | 22 yrs |
| BMW X5 | 77% | 1,735,343 | 83,401 mi | 25 yrs |
| Alfa Romeo 146 | 60.5% | 35,522 | 84,577 mi | 31 yrs |
Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW R1150 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a BMW R1150 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 BMW R1150Should you buy a used BMW R1150?
The BMW R1150 has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.0% across 51,143 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 BMW R1150 are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (623 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (224), and shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (179). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a BMW R1150 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical BMW R1150 owner drives around 1,399 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 BMW R1150 models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.