Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 BMW R 1200 Rt?

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 2009 BMW R 1200 Rt?

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 2009 BMW R 1200 Rt?

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.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 BMW R 1200 Rt?

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.

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BMW R 1200 Rt (2009)

123 real MOT outcomes analysed • 11% first-time pass rate

2009 BMW R 1200 Rt

CarHunch analysed 123 real MOT records for the 2009 BMW R 1200 Rt. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2009 BMW R 1200 RT is a stark reliability warning: just 11% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and petrol models hit an alarming 0% pass rate. With zero dangerous defects recorded across 123 vehicles analysed, the failures aren't safety-critical, but they're frequent enough to signal systemic maintenance issues on this ageing motorcycle.

At an average mileage of 36,260 miles for a 15-year-old bike, these machines are relatively low-mileage, yet still struggling with repeated faults—suggesting design or component reliability problems rather than wear from heavy use. Before buying one, budget for immediate remedial work and factor in potentially high annual MOT-related repairs; these bikes don't coast through their test like comparable rivals.

Below average reliability 69% below UK average

11%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.02

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2009 BMW R 1200 Rt

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a BMW R 1200 Rt

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (89%)	109	0%	0
Other (11%)	14	96.4%	0.14

MOT History Averages

1.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.02

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific BMW R 1200 Rt?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — BMW R 1200 Rt:

2008 2015