BMW R850
MotorcycleFrom 795 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a lamp missing or inoperative, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, a direction indicator lamp missing and inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. The top issue, a lamp missing or inoperative, caused 10 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a lamp missing or inoperative | 10 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 8 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 8 |
| a shock absorber not functioning or leaking severely | 6 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 5 |
| a stop lamp(s) does not illuminate by the operation of both brake controls or remains on when the brakes are released | 4 |
| steering head bearings have excessive wear or play | 4 |
| excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution | 3 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 2 |
| a tyre with a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure, including any lifting of the tread rubber | 2 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 30.8% of R850 failures are serious (safety or roadside), below the 44.4% average. When this car fails its MOT, it's more likely to be lights, wipers, or emissions than something dangerous. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £67.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 92.3% | a lamp missing or inoperative, a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps |
| 2000 | 86.7% | a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a tyre with a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure, including any lifting of the tread rubber |
| 1997 | 84.8% | a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake |
Typical mileage
Half of all R850s tested had between 22,937 and 53,659 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 39,893 median miles, the R850 has 0.027 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW R850 MOT pass rate?
The BMW R850 has a 89.1% MOT pass rate based on 795 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW R850?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW R850 is a lamp missing or inoperative, which caused 10 failures. Other common issues include significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW R850 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW R850 is 39,893 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 22,937 and 53,659 miles.
MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.