1998 BMW R Series MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for R Series models manufactured in 1998, based on 1,843 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all R Series cars tested in 1998. Want to see how cars built in 1998 hold up over time?
View 1998 BMW R Series vintage page → (84.2% current pass rate)1998 BMW R Series MOT Analysis
The 1998 BMW R Series has an MOT pass rate of 86.5% based on 1,843 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 43,151 miles on the odometer. With a 13.5% failure rate, the 1998 R Series is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1998 BMW R Series is Motorcycle lamps and reflectors, responsible for 3.4% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Motorcycle brakes is the second most common issue at 2.7%. Motorcycle suspension follows at 1.0%.
Top failures specific to 1998 models only. The overall R Series page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Lamps And Reflectors | 3.4% | 63 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Brakes | 2.7% | 50 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Suspension | 1.0% | 19 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Wheels | 0.5% | 10 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Tyres | 0.4% | 7 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Structure And Attachments | 0.2% | 4 |
| 7 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.1% | 2 |
| 8 | Motorcycle Steering | 0.1% | 2 |
| 9 | Motorcycle Audible Warning (Horn) | 0.1% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 43,151 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle lamps and reflectors | 0.79 | 3.4% | 63 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 0.63 | 2.7% | 50 |
| Motorcycle suspension | 0.24 | 1.0% | 19 |
| Motorcycle wheels | 0.13 | 0.5% | 10 |
| Motorcycle tyres | 0.09 | 0.4% | 7 |
| Motorcycle structure and attachments | 0.05 | 0.2% | 4 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.03 | 0.1% | 2 |
| Motorcycle steering | 0.03 | 0.1% | 2 |
| Motorcycle audible warning (Horn) | 0.03 | 0.1% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1998 BMW R Series has an MOT pass rate of 86.5% based on 1,843 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 43,151 miles on the odometer. With a 13.5% failure rate, the 1998 R Series is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1998 BMW R Series, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to motorcycle lamps and reflectors: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. With relatively low average mileage of 43,151 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors — 3.4% of failures
Motorcycle lamps and reflectors issues account for 3.4% of MOT failures on 1998 BMW R Series models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Motorcycle brakes — 2.7% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 2.7% of MOT failures on 1998 BMW R Series models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Motorcycle suspension — 1.0% of failures
Motorcycle suspension issues account for 1.0% of MOT failures on 1998 BMW R Series models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.