BMW R50/5 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 104 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 2.9%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
BMW R50/5 MOT Reliability Overview
The BMW R50/5 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 104 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 97.1% and a failure rate of 2.9%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the BMW R50/5 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average BMW R50/5 presents for MOT with approximately 40,675 miles on the clock. The 1971 manufacture year performs best with a 100.0% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the BMW R50/5 is Motorcycle lighting and signalling, affecting 2.9% of all tests. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Together, these top 1 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 2.9% | 3 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 40,675 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 lighting and signalling | 0.71 | 2.9% | 3 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average BMW R50/5 has 40,675 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The BMW R50/5 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 0.71% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About BMW R50/5 MOT Data
The BMW R50/5 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 104 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 97.1% and a failure rate of 2.9%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For BMW R50/5 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle lighting and signalling and general vehicle condition for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific R50/5 is likely to perform.
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 2.9% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 2.9% of MOT failures on the BMW R50/5. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW R50/5?
Based on 104 MOT tests in our database, the BMW R50/5 has an overall pass rate of 97.1% (2.9% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW R50/5?
The top 1 reasons a BMW R50/5 fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (2.9%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the BMW R50/5 reliable?
With a 2.9% MOT failure rate, the R50/5 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my BMW R50/5?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle lighting and signalling (2.9%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.