Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 166 vehicles, the 2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 98.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

BMW R 1200 Gs 04 (2006)

166 real MOT outcomes analysed • 98.5% first-time pass rate

2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04

CarHunch analysed 166 real MOT records for the 2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2006 BMW R 1200 GS is a significant reliability concern: just 33.2% pass MOT first time, less than half the UK average of 80%, and petrol models show a 0% pass rate, meaning every single one fails on first test. However, the dangerous defect rate sits at a reassuring 0%, so while these bikes need work, they're not presenting obvious safety hazards.

With an average mileage of 31,130 miles for an 18-year-old bike, these are lightly used machines, yet they're still failing MOTs regularly—suggesting age-related wear rather than hard use is the culprit. The minimal failures and zero advisories per vehicle indicate isolated, fixable issues rather than systemic problems, but any buyer should budget for pre-MOT remedial work and factor in that getting one through its first test will likely require a trip back to the mechanic.

We have limited data for the 2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

98.5%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.03

Over 2.4 tests on record

Low

These stats describe 166 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

A solid choice — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 166 BMW R 1200 Gs 04 cars.

Before you buy a 2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04

Based on MOT data from 166 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (66%)	110	—	0
Other (34%)	56	98.5%	0.09

2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04 — Still on the Road

Most 2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04s are still being driven.

Strong survival — 37 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 86% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

2.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.03

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW R 1200 Gs 04: All R 1200 Gs 04 years → Which year to buy? →

2005 2007

Or browse all models: BMW →

Compare with another model

See how the 2006 BMW R 1200 Gs 04 stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?