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Bmw 3 series vs Bmw R1250gs: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Bmw 3 series
75%
MOT pass rate · 996,044 vehicles
Bmw R1250gs
100%
MOT pass rate · 10 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw R1250gs (100%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Bmw 3 series Bmw R1250gs
MOT pass rate 75% 100%
MOT failure rate 25% 0%
Faults & advisories per test 2.0 0.2
Dangerous-fault share 2% 0%
Average mileage 128,558 mi 21,191 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 996,044 10

Most common faults

Bmw 3 series

  1. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  4. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  5. Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  6. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Bmw R1250gs

  1. Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (1.1.13 (a))
  2. Front Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (1.1.13 (a))
  3. Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
  4. Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
  5. Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Front Brake disc pitted (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
  6. Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Rear Brake disc pitted (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Bmw 3 series (75%) and Bmw R1250gs (100%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Bmw 3 series report Full Bmw R1250gs report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.