MOT failure rate and common problems for the BMW R50/2, and how to check your own car by registration.
Updated 05 September 2026.
BMW R50/2 MOT failure rate
What a BMW R50/2 fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.
What it fails on, and why
Lighting is the single most common MOT failure and the cheapest to put right. A blown headlight, brake-light or number-plate bulb, a cracked lens, or a headlamp beam that points too high or low will all fail. Most are a two-minute bulb swap.
Tyres fail for tread below the 1.6mm legal limit across the central three-quarters, uneven or exposed-cord wear, or sidewall damage. The tester inspects all four; a single illegal tyre is a fail.
Fuel-system failures are leaks or an insecure filler cap.
Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.
The parts that fix each
If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.
Other models
Questions and answers
What is the MOT failure rate of the BMW R50/2?
It fails 13.4% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 67 tests.
What do these cars fail their MOT on most?
The most common failure area is lamps & electrical, at 44.4% of this model's failures.