BMW
R1150
2,024 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where R1150s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 12.0 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
89.5%
Pass-after-fix
2.8%
Fail
7.3%
Avg miles
41,866
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
R1150: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 1,546 MOT tests, the R1150 returns 90.1% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a non-functioning shock absorber. Tyre tread under the limit and a binding brake round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 42,165, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 26–44
Above average — worth comparing quotes before buying. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
26–44
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely
23 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 02
Brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm
19 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 03
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
16 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 04
A tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned likely which could cause sudden deflation of the tyre
11 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 05
A lamp missing or inoperative
8 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 06
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
8 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 07
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
8 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 08
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
7 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 09
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
6 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 10
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
6 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£140–£255
If every one of this R1150's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Brake pad measurement gauge
Testers fail pads under 1.5mm. A wear gauge tells you if you've got two months left or two weeks.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Summit
Summit ADRG-640 BMW Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass LHS
£10.99
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Summit ADRG-904 BMW Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass RHS
£10.99
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Summit ADRG-905 BMW Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass LHS
£10.99
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Draper Expert
Draper Expert Oil Filter Socket for Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and VW
£18.69
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
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Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
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Buying or keeping an R1150?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own an R1150 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.