BMW R1150 (2001)
2001 BMW R1150
CarHunch analysed 792 real MOT records for the 2001 BMW R1150. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2001 BMW R1150 passes its MOT on the first attempt 91.5% of the time, well above the UK average of 80%, which suggests these bikes are genuinely well-maintained by their owners. However, 16.2% have encountered a dangerous defect at some point, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection remains essential.
At 33,959 miles average, these bikes show typical mileage for their age and aren't being thrashed, yet they still average 1.16 failures and 4.5 advisories per test—most commonly minor issues like wear items rather than structural problems. If you're considering one, get a full service history and have a BMW-specialist mechanic check it over, because while the MOT pass rate is impressive, the advisory frequency suggests maintenance gaps are common among less conscientious owners.
What to check before buying a 2001 BMW R1150
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 R1150
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 791 | 91.5% | 1.16 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 BMW R1150 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2001 BMW R1150 vehicles fall between 20,002 and 43,796 miles.
2001 BMW R1150 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 215 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (48% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2001 BMW R1150
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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54.4%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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46.1%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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22.6%
Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort
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19.6%
Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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19.4%
Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit
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16.8%
Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn
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13.6%
Rear wheel bearings have slight free play
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13.3%
Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW R1150?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.