Bmw 520 vs Bmw R1100gs: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Bmw 520
78%
MOT pass rate · 156,398 vehicles
Bmw R1100gs
88%
MOT pass rate · 36 vehicles
More reliable
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Bmw R1100gs is the more reliable of the two — 88% pass first time versus 78%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Head to head
| Measure | Bmw 520 | Bmw R1100gs |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 78% | 88% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 22% | 12% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 1.6 | 0.6 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 3% ✓ | 4% |
| Average mileage | 134,460 mi | 54,558 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 156,398 | 36 |
Most common faults
Bmw 520
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Bmw R1100gs
- Front Brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))
- Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))
- Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))
- Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (1.1.13 (a))
- Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))
- Front Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (1.2.1 (e))
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate, the Bmw R1100gs is the more reliable of the two — 88% pass first time versus 78%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Full Bmw 520 report Full Bmw R1100gs 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.