Best and worst BMW R 1200 GS years to buy
Every model year, judged against the others.
Gathering every model year from NHTSA. The first look at a model can take a little while.
Every model year, judged against the others.
Gathering every model year from NHTSA. The first look at a model can take a little while.
NHTSA did not answer for model years 1995 to 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2015 to 2027, so any with records are missing here. For 2004 to 2006, 2009 and 2012, NHTSA answered only in part, so some counts say “No answer”. The verdicts may change once NHTSA answers. Try again in a minute.
Look for 2008 and 2009.
Of the newer years to look for, the ones with the fewest owner complaints for their age. A year few people bought can look the same.
None of the judged years of the R 1200 GS reached Maybe or Pass.
From owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Only years old enough to judge. Still have any car inspected.
Tap a year to open it. Bars are owner complaints filed with NHTSA: unverified, and not adjusted for how many were sold. The three small marks by a year show how sure its verdict is: three for high, one for low. How sure is the verdict?
SourceNHTSA’s complaint and recall datasets. Each year’s page links its own NHTSA record. NHTSA, checked Oct 30, 2026.
The most recent judged years that came out Worthy.
Other Worthy years with the fewest owner complaints against a typical year at the same age. A year with few sales can look the same.
Every Worthy year of the R 1200 GS is in the newest ones above.
Judged years with enough more complaints than a typical year to reach Maybe or Pass.
None of the judged years of the R 1200 GS reached Maybe or Pass.
Education, not financial or mechanical advice. Have any used car checked by a mechanic you trust before you buy.
Each year’s owner complaints, held up against a typical year of the R 1200 GS at the same age. Popular cars collect more complaints just by selling more, so a year is never compared with another model.
“Do not drive” and “park outside” are NHTSA’s own warnings on a recall, until it is fixed.
Scroll the table sideways to see more.
| Year | Verdict | Owner complaints | Recalls | Top problem area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Not judged | 9 | 1 | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2013 | Not judged | 6 | 2 | Fuel system |
| 2012 | Not judged | No answer | 2 | No answer |
| 2009 | Worthy | 12 | No answer | Fuel system |
| 2008 | Worthy | 14 | 3 | Fuel system |
| 2006 | Not judged | 5 | No answer | Fuel system |
| 2005 | Not judged | 14 | No answer | Fuel system |
| 2004 | Not judged | No answer | 1 | No answer |
SourceNHTSA’s complaint and recall datasets. Each year’s page links its own NHTSA record. NHTSA, checked Oct 30, 2026.