BMW G Series
MotorcycleFrom 730 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, a transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn and brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm. The top issue, a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, caused 9 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely | 9 |
| a transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn | 7 |
| brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm | 7 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 5 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 5 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 4 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 4 |
| a tyre with a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure, including any lifting of the tread rubber | 4 |
| a stop lamp(s) remains on when the brakes are released | 4 |
| a tyre not fitted in accordance with the direction of rotation marked on the side wall | 4 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 20.8% of G Series failures are serious (safety or roadside), below the 44.4% average. When this car fails its MOT, it's more likely to be lights, wipers, or emissions than something dangerous. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £60.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 83.8% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely |
| 2012 | 88% | a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake |
| 2011 | 81.5% | brake lining or pad worn below 1.0mm, a transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn |
| 2007 | 90.7% | a tyre not fitted in accordance with the direction of rotation marked on the side wall, a tyre with a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure, including any lifting of the tread rubber |
Typical mileage
Half of all G Seriess tested had between 9,842 and 25,395 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 17,823 median miles, the G Series has 0.079 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW G Series MOT pass rate?
The BMW G Series has a 85.9% MOT pass rate based on 730 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW G Series?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW G Series is a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely, which caused 9 failures. Other common issues include a transmission belt, chain, sprocket or pulley excessively loose or worn.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW G Series at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW G Series is 17,823 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 9,842 and 25,395 miles.
MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.