BMW R65ls MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 105 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 10.5%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
BMW R65ls MOT Reliability Overview
The BMW R65ls is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 105 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.5% and a failure rate of 10.5%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the BMW R65ls earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average BMW R65ls presents for MOT with approximately 36,455 miles on the clock. The 1982 manufacture year performs best with a 86.9% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the BMW R65ls is Motorcycle tyres and wheels, affecting 5.7% of all tests. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. The second most common issue is Motorcycle lighting and signalling at 4.8%. Motorcycle brakes rounds out the top three at 2.9%. Together, these top 3 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 Tyres And Wheels | 5.7% | 6 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Brakes | 4.8% | 5 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 4.8% | 5 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 4.8% | 5 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Body And Structure | 1.0% | 1 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Driving Controls | 1.0% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 36,455 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 tyres and wheels | 1.57 | 5.7% | 6 |
| Motorcycle brakes | 1.31 | 4.8% | 5 |
| Motorcycle steering and suspension | 1.31 | 4.8% | 5 |
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 1.31 | 4.8% | 5 |
| Motorcycle body and structure | 0.26 | 1.0% | 1 |
| Motorcycle driving controls | 0.26 | 1.0% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average BMW R65ls has 36,455 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 R65ls has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 2.88% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About BMW R65ls MOT Data
The BMW R65ls is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 105 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.5% and a failure rate of 10.5%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For BMW R65ls owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle tyres and wheels and motorcycle lighting and signalling 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 R65ls is likely to perform.
Motorcycle tyres and wheels — 5.7% of failures
Motorcycle tyres and wheels issues account for 5.7% of MOT failures on the BMW R65ls. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 4.8% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 4.8% of MOT failures on the BMW R65ls. 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.
Motorcycle brakes — 2.9% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 2.9% of MOT failures on the BMW R65ls. 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).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW R65ls?
Based on 105 MOT tests in our database, the BMW R65ls has an overall pass rate of 89.5% (10.5% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW R65ls?
The top 3 reasons a BMW R65ls fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle tyres and wheels (5.7%), 2. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (4.8%), 3. Motorcycle brakes (2.9%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the BMW R65ls reliable?
With a 10.5% MOT failure rate, the R65ls is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my BMW R65ls?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle tyres and wheels (5.7%); Motorcycle lighting and signalling (4.8%); Motorcycle brakes (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.