Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2020 BMW F850?

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 2020 BMW F850?

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 2020 BMW F850?

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.

Is the 2020 BMW F850 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 215 vehicles, the 2020 BMW F850 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 96.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2020 BMW F850?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2020 BMW F850 are: Drive chain slightly loose (19% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (16.3% of vehicles), Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (16.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2020 BMW F850?

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 F850 (2020)

215 real MOT outcomes analysed • 96.4% first-time pass rate

2020 BMW F850

CarHunch analysed 215 real MOT records for the 2020 BMW F850. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2020 BMW F850 is a genuinely reliable performer, with a first-time pass rate of 96.4% that sits well above the UK average of 80%—and a dangerous defect rate of just 2.3% puts safety concerns firmly in the rear-view mirror. You're looking at a motorcycle that rarely fails its MOT and, when it does, the issues are minor.

These bikes average only 7,468 miles on the clock, so you're typically buying one that's barely been ridden, which explains the low failure rate of 0.13 per vehicle. The 0.6 advisories per bike suggest basic wear items rather than structural problems, so if you're shopping for one, a pre-purchase inspection focused on service history and fuel system condition will tell you everything you need to know.

We have limited data for the 2020 BMW F850 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

96.4%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

2.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.13

Over 2.9 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

Middle half: 5k–11k

For context

These stats describe 215 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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What tends to go wrong

Across 215 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Lighting 19%

Drive chain slightly loose · Headlamp aim too high · Rear Drive chain slightly loose · …

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Tyre wear 16.3%

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 16.3%

Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit · Rear Brake indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort · Front Brake lever is short but brake can still be readily applied · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 14.2%

Drive chain worn but not considered excessive · Drive chain excessively loose

Exhaust & emissions 4.7%

Exhaust noisy

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2020.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 215 BMW F850 cars.

Before you buy a 2020 BMW F850

Based on MOT data from 215 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 2.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 887 BMW F850 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 37.5%

333

Red 17.5%

155

Blue 16.2%

144

Grey 15.2%

135

Green 12.7%

113

Black 0.8%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2020 BMW F850 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

7,468

typical

4,713

low mileage

11,222

high mileage

Half of all 2020 BMW F850 vehicles fall between 4,713 and 11,222 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 4,713 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 4,713–11,222 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2020 BMW F850s sit.

⚠ Over 15,149 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2020 BMW F850 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2020 BMW F850s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 180 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 94% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.

MOT History Averages

2.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.13

Avg failures per vehicle

0.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW F850: All F850 years → Which year to buy? →

2018 2019

Or browse all models: BMW →

Compare with another model

See how the 2020 BMW F850 stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?