BMW R45 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free BMW R45 car check
Is the BMW R45 reliable? We analysed 2,326 real MOT tests across 341 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific BMW R45? Enter the reg for a free check:
The BMW R45 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies, shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil and roller brake test indicates a binding brake. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW R45.
BMW R45 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a BMW R45. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
BMW R45 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a BMW R45 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
BMW R45 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a BMW R45 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
BMW R45 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical BMW R45 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
BMW R45 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW R45 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 60 | 90.0% | 14,637 | 36,096 | 40,394 |
| 1984 | 94 | 86.2% | 11,750 | 28,602 | 31,942 |
| 1983 | 225 | 87.1% | 34,644 | 42,528 | 57,909 |
| 1982 | 271 | 86.3% | 12,430 | 26,764 | 41,639 |
| 1981 | 423 | 88.2% | 29,518 | 43,365 | 60,355 |
| 1980 | 325 | 84.9% | 21,610 | 33,809 | 42,776 |
| 1979 | 576 | 88.0% | 22,055 | 37,127 | 58,144 |
| 1978 | 109 | 84.4% | 36,218 | 52,721 | 71,033 |
How Long Does a BMW R45 Last?
Based on 341 BMW R45 vehicles on UK roads.
BMW R45 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all BMW R45 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 R45
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.0% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
84.4% MOT pass rate from 109 tests
The best year to buy a used BMW R45 is 1985, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.0% across 60 tests. The 1978 model year has the lowest pass rate at 84.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the BMW R45 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW R45 THIS CAR | 87.1% | 2,326 | 36,545 mi | 48 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 |
| Austin Mini Clubman | 73.8% | 3,224 | 52,753 mi | 56 yrs |
Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW R45 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a BMW R45 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 R45Should you buy a used BMW R45?
The BMW R45 has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.1% across 2,326 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 R45 are stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (21 recorded failures), shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (21), and roller brake test indicates a binding brake (13). 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 BMW R45 owner drives around 343 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 R45 models stay on UK roads for around 48 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.