Bmw 3 series vs Bmw R850: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Bmw 3 series
75%
MOT pass rate · 996,044 vehicles
Bmw R850
88%
MOT pass rate · 1,482 vehicles
More reliable
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Bmw R850 is the more reliable of the two — 88% pass first time versus 75%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Head to head
| Measure | Bmw 3 series | Bmw R850 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 75% | 88% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 25% | 12% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.0 | 0.5 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 2% | 2% |
| Average mileage | 128,558 mi | 44,967 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 996,044 | 1,482 |
Most common faults
Bmw 3 series
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
- Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Bmw R850
- Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))
- Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))
- Rear Brake pad(s) close to minimum limit (3.2.A1f(i))
- Rear Brake disc(s) slightly worn (3.2.A1l)
- Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (5.2.3 (e))
- Front Roller brake test indicates slight fluctuation of brake effort (3.3.A1d)
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate, the Bmw R850 is the more reliable of the two — 88% pass first time versus 75%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Full Bmw 3 series report Full Bmw R850 report Most reliable cars
Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.